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HISTORICAL
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VOL. XVII
1912
TOPSFIELD, MASS.
Published by the Society
1913
X
THE TOPSFIELD MEETING HOUSE,
BUILT IN 1759.
(See page 88.)
THE
HISTORICAL
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VOL. XVII
1912
TOPSFIELD, MASS.
Published by the Society
1913
GEORGE FRANCIS DOW
Editor
THE MERRILL PRESS
MASS.
CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR
ENDING DEC. 30, 1911, V
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR THE YEAR
ENDING DEC. 30, 1 9 1 I , vii
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MRS. MARY LAKE (GOULD)
NICHOLS viii
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF TOPSFIELD, COPIED
by HENRY F. LONG ( Continued ), 1
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH AND SOME OF HIS
DESCENDANTS, BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW, - - 57
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD, COPIED
by GEORGE Francis DOW (Continued), - - 88
TOPSFIELD VITAL STATISTICS, 1911, - - - - 193
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1911, - - - - 1 96
- 196
BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, 19U
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalcollec17unse
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 30, 19H.
The membership of the Society on December 30, 1911 was 236.
Only one new member was elected during the past year, while one
has resigned, eleven have been dropped for nonpayment of annual
dues and five have died: — Mrs. Amanda D. Clifford of Topsfield*
William Orrin Hood of Danvers, John E. Morris of Hartford, Conn.,
Augustus V. Peabody of Malden, and John Henry Smith of Salt
Lake City.
Three meetings of the Society have been held at which papers
were read by Hon. Arthur H. Wellman and the Secretary. Vol-
umes 15 and 16 of the Historical Collections have both been com-
pleted and distributed during the year and volume 17 is partly in
type. In volume 16 two groups of tintype portraits of Topsfield
people, taken about 1868, were included with accompanying short
biographical sketches. These have aroused considerable interest
and in following volumes it is proposed to continue the series. Ac-
cordingly it is suggested that the Secretary be permitted to have
access to tintype albums preserved in the various homes so that
family groups of portraits may be engraved. It would be desirable
to include larger engravings from photographs but the cost of re-
production is greater. This, however, can easily be done if relatives
or friends would assume part of the expense. By continuing this
plan, the Collections would contain in the course of time, a portrait
gallery of many of our townspeople.
VI
Of the present membership only ninety-eight reside in Topsfield.
There should be a very much larger percentage of our population
enrolled and if each member would only ask a neighbor or friend
to join, without doubt a courtesy would thereby be conferred and
also a benefit to the Society. The gatherings held during each
year present opportunities for meeting where there are no social,
political or religious distinctions, while the annual volume of Collec-
tions in itself is certainly worth more than the small assessment.
May I ask you one and all to please propose the name of at least
one new member during the coming year. The simple request on
meeting a friend will be all that is necessary in many cases for no
doubt very many people have never had the matter brought to
their attention.
Respectfully submitted,
George Francis Dow,
Secretary.
VII
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
OF THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 30, 19H.
RECEIPTS
191 1
Jan. 1, Balance on hand, $142 72
Dec. 30, Historical Collections sold, 13 50
“ Annual dues, 173 50
“ Bindings sold, 47 50
$377 22
PAYMENTS
191 1
Dec. 30 Printing Vol. 15 balance,
$12 25
“ Binding Vol. 15,
33 4i
“ Printing Vol. 16,
7i 36
“ Binding Vol. 16,
33 5i
“ Engraving Vol. 16,
9 90
“ Stationary and printing,
11 60
“ Postage,
3 63
“ Balance,
201 56
$377 22
Jan. 1, 1912, Balance cash on hand,
$201 56
THE BUILDING FUND
191 1
Jan. 1, Amount on hand in Salem Savings Bank, $813 36
Interest one year, 32 84
$846 20
Respectfully submitted,
George P'rancis Dow,
Examined and found correct, Treasurer.
Henry F. Long,
W. Pitman Gould,
Auditing Committee.
Mrs. Mary Lake (Gould) Nichols.
Mrs. Mary Lake (Gould) Nichols who died very suddenly in
Topsfield on Dec. 17, 1912, was the eldest daughter of Andrew and
Mary Prudence (Lake) Gould of Topsfield, where she was born
May 24, 1831 in the house long known as the David Lake house.
She married Mar. 10, 1857, in Newburyport, Lucius Warren
Nichols, who died in Topsfield, Aug. 26, 1888. She left one
daughter, Martha E., wife of Wm. Pitman Gould of Topsfield.
Mrs. Nichols was an active member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church with which she united in 1868 and was particularly
interested in every event relating to its history. She also was a
charter member of the Topsfield Historical Society and a constant
attendant at its meetings. Her knowledge of local history and gen-
ealogy was extensive and freely extended to all in search of infor-
mation. In November, 1885 she met with a severe accident which
brought about years of physical suffering, yet she ever was one of the
most cheerful of people, never idle, her busy hands constantly em-
ployed with needlework or the making of lace. Her remarkable
will and high courage did much to prolong her years. She was
loved by all who knew her for her bright smile and her helpful
word.
MRS. MARY LAKE (GOULD) NICHOLS.
THE
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF
TOPSFIELD, MASS.
COPIED BY HENRY F. LONG.
{Continued from Vol. XVI, page 164)
The free holders and other inhabitants of this Town Quall-
ified according to Law for voting are to take notice to meet
here at the Meeting house on Monday ye 29th of November
Current at 12 of ye Clock in said day to see if the Town will
agree with ye Church in Calling the Reverend Mr William
Osgood to the work of ye ministry in our Town
Dat. Topsfield November 10: 1725 John Hovey
Jacob Dorman Constable in the name & by order
of the rest of ye Select-
men
At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield on ye 29 Day of
November 1725
Dea11 Daniel Redington is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
The Town unanimously Agreed to give the reverend Mr
William Osgood a Call to Settle with us in the Ministry voted
The free holders and other inhabitance of this Town Quall-
ified According to Law for voting are to take notice to meet
here at the Meeting house in Topsfield on ffryday the 10th
day of Decern : next After the Date hereof at 12 of the
Clock in sdday.
(0
2
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
ist To Choose a Committe to give Mr William Osgood a
Call to the work of the Ministry in our Town
2ly To Doe any other thing or things Relating to his Set-
tlement with us as the Town shall then think best
3ly To see if ye Town will grant the petition of some of
the inhabitance on the other side of Nickollses Brook to be
set of to a new precinct & fourthly to hear the Committes re-
turn that were Chosen to Reckon with Madam Capen & to al-
low bills of Charge John Hovey by
Dated in Topsfield December the 4 : 1725 order of the rest
Jacob Dorman Constable of the Selectmen
of Topsfield
At a Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield on the 10th day
of Decern 1725
I Mr Nath11 Averill is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2ly Mr Nath11 Porter Mr Eliezer Lake and Capt Joseph
Gould are Chosen a Committe to joyn with the Committe
wich the Church hath Already Chose to inform the Reverend
Mr William Osgood that the town as well as ye Church hath
unanimously Made Choice of himself to be our Minister and
to Settle with us in the ministry and if said mr Osgood is
please to accept of the Call: that then the said Committe
which the Town has now Chosen are further ordred to dis-
course with ye said Mr Osgood to see upon what Terms he
shall see Cause to Settle with us in the work of ye ministry
and ye said Committe to return Mr Osgoods answer to ye
Town as soon as may be Conveniently voted
3 ly The Town agreed to give to ye reverend Mr William
Osgood Eighty pounds by the year sailary for his incour-
agement to settle with us in the Work of Ministry voted
4ly The Town allowed to Mr3 Capen Twenty six pound
thirteen shillings and for pence for the reverend Mr Joseph
Capens service in ye ministry from the first of March 1724-5
till ye Last of June following voted 26 13 4
5 The Town allowed one shilling to Clerk Elisha Perkins
for timber to mend highways
The free holders and other inhabitants of this Town Quall-
ified according to Law for Voting are to take notice to meet
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
3
here at ye Meeting house in Topsfield on fryday next after
the Date hereof at 1 2 of the Clock on said day
ily By Vertue of a Warrant to ye Selectmen ye freeholders
are to make Choice of a Person to be Register of Deeds
2ly For the Freeholders & other inhabitants to hear mr
Will”1 Osgoods answer to the Committe that were Chosen to
give him a Call to the work of the Ministry in our Town and
to act upon it as the Town shall then think best in order to
his Settlement with us in said work John Hovey by order
Dated December 18 1725 of ye Selectmen of
Jacob Dorman Constable Topsfield
At a Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield on ye 24th day of
Decmr 1725
I Dea : Daniel Redington is Chosen Moderator of this
meeting voted
2ly The freeholders brought in their votes for a Register
of Deeds
3 ly : The Town having heard the Reverend Mr Osgoods
Answer to the Town Respecting his Call to ye work of ye
Ministry in this Town : the Town Dose Now agree to give to
the Reverend Mr William Osgood one hundred pound per
Annum in Currant Passable Money: or in Bills of Publick
Creditt for his Sallary: and also ye Improvement of the Par-
sonage Land ; during the Term of his ministry amongst us
voted
4ly The Town agreed to give two hundred pounds to Rd
Mr Osgood towards his Settlement Amoungst us in ye work
of ye ministry voted
5 ly Whereas Mr Osgood has but one Sabbath more to
Preach with us according to former agreement ; therefore the
Town Do now Desire him to Preach with us one month
Longer then sd agreement : and agree to give him for sd
month According as the former Committe Agreed with him :
viz Thirty five shillings per week voted
61y The Town agreed to adjourn this meeting unto the
first Tuseday of Jany next voted
the Moderator adjourned this present meeting Accordingly
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield begun & held on
ye 24 Day of December 1725 and adjourned unto ye 4th Day
4
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
of Jan : 1725-6 at one of ye Clock in ye afternoon : and then
met and whereas the Town did agree at said meeting on ye
24 of December: to give two hundred pounds to the rever-
end Mr William Osgood towards his settlement with us in ye
work of ye ministry the Town do now agree to pay one hun-
dred pound of said money within this year that is now begun
and ye other hundred pound of sd money to be paid the next
year following voted
And also whereas the Town Did agree to give to the Rev-
erend Mr William Osgood one hundred pounds per annum
for his sailary: the Town Do now agree to pay in unto the
sd Mr Osgood the one half of his yearly sallary at Every half
years End voted
the year to begin at ye first of March next Ensuing untill
which time Mr Osgood doth now Consent to Preach with &
amoungst us as heretofore
Topsfield ffeby 11: 1725-6
The freeholders & other Inhabitance of this Town : Quall-
ified according to Law for voting: are to take Notice to
meet here at ye meeting house on Tuseday the first of March
Next after the Date hereof at Eight of ye Clock in ye morn-
ing to Choose Town Officers for ye year Ensuing To see if
the Town will agree upon sum other method of fenceing in ye
Parsonage Land then what hath already been Agreed upon:
To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court and do any other
thing or things as the Town shall then see best
John Howlet
Jacob Dorman Constable Jacob Estey
A True Copy of the notification Attest William Porter
Jacob Peabody Town Clerk John Hovey Select-
men of Topsfield
At A Lawfull & Annual Town meeting in Topsfield on ye
1 : of March 1725-6
ily Mr Ivory Hovey is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted
2ly Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year En-
suing voted
3 ly Corp11 Tobijah Perkins & Ebenr Nickols are Chosen
Constables for ye year Ensuing voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
5
Corp11 Perkins having agreed with John Willdes to serve
as Constable in his room the Town accepted thereof by a vote
4ly Ens Amos Dorman Cap* Joseph Gould Serg* Thomas
Robinson Mr Simon Bradstreet & Jacob Peabody are Select-
men for ye year Ensuing voted
5 ly Edmond Town Nathan Byxbe & Eliezer Lake are
Chosen Tything men for ye year Ensuing voted
61y Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Sealer of Leather for ye
year Ensuing voted
y\y Mr Nath11 Averill Corp1 Joseph Town Jonathan Willds
& Benjamen Knight are Chosen Serveyers of highways for
ye year Ensuing voted
81y Serg* Joshua Town & David Balch Are Chosen fence
viewers for ye year Ensuing voted
9ly Serg* Zacheus Gould & Joseph Robinson are Chosen
Hogreeves for ye year Ensuing voted
ioly William Town & Joshua Town are Chosen field Dri-
vers for ye year Ensuing voted
illy Mr Simon Bradstreet is Chosen School master for ye
year Ensuing voted
I2ly Serg* Zacheus Gould is Chosen grand jury man for ye
year Ensuing voted
Serg* Ivory Hovey & David Balch are Chosen to serve on
ye Jury of Tryals at ye next Inferiour Court to be holden at
Ipswich voted
1 3 ly Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye
year Ensuing voted
I4ly Whareas the Town at a Leagal Town meeting on ye
first day of Novembr 1725 Did agree to fence in all ye par-
sonage Land in Topsfield by ye first day of June next following
with a good sufficient fence: & the Town having Considered
the Matter do now Agree to fence in all ye parsonage Land
with a good Legall stone wall voted
1 5 ly The Town having heard ye Reverend Mr William Os-
goods Answer to the Church and Parrish Relating to his set-
tling with us in ye work of the Ministry: accepts thereof and
ordered that it should be Entred in ye Town book
All the Officers Chosen by ye Town on sd first of March
1825-6 whom the Law Requires to be sworn viz. Town Clerk,
Constables, Tything men Surveyers of highway, fence view-
6
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
ers, Hogreeves, field drivers & Town Treasurer were all of them
sworn. Each man to his Respective office on ye said first
& fourth Days of March 1725-6 before ye Selectmen
The Sealler of Leather Excepted: and Serg* Thos Robin-
son & Sam11 Curtis being Chosen field drivers by ye Proprie-
tors of Stickey Meadow Commonfields were sworn to ye faith-
full Discharge of sd office: before ye Selectmen on sd 1 : of
March
At the above sd Town meeting on ye 1 : of march : 1725-6
the Town gave Liberty for Clerk Elisha Perkins to set up a
stable at ye East End of ye stable by Mr Capens fence
To the Church and Parish of the Town of Topsfield
Gentlemen
I have taken into serious Consideratian the Invitation
which you made me to settle with you in ye Work of ye Min-
istry; and likewise the Sallary which by vote you have
allowed me for my subsistance in that work These are there-
fore to Inform you, That I readily take up with what you
have already done on that account. — and I hereby do Con-
sent to settle with you in ye work of the ministry as Long as
God shall enable me thereto
These from Him who is ready to
Serve you in the Gospel of our
Glorious Redemer
This is a true Copy of Mr Osgoods William Osgood
Answer to the Church and
Parish attest Jacob Peabody Town Cle
Ens Amos Dorman being Chosen Clerk for & by ye Pro-
prietors of Stickey Medow Com: on field: was sworn to ye
faithfull Discharge of sd Office before ye selectmen of Tops-
fild March 15 1725-6
Boston June 7th 1722
Recd of Mr Joseph Robinson Constable of Topsfield P Mr
Daniel Clark Twenty one pound four shillings & Ten pence
in full for My ffather Jer Allen Treasurer
21:4:10 P Jas Allen
Recd of Mr Joseph Robinson as Constable of Topsfield for
ye year 1721 the full of what was Committed to him to Colect
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
7
for my use for sd year I say Recd ye full of it per me Joseph
Capen
Topsfield March: 10: 1723-4
The two Receipts above Entred are True Copies attest
Jacob Peabody T C
The ffreeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Legall Quallified for voting are to take No-
tice to meet at ye meeting house in sd Town on Tuseday ye
Twenty second Day of this instant March at one of ye Clock
in ye afternoon
1 To see if ye Town will Give Liberty for swine to go at
Large
2 To agree upon some Method to pay in the Towns Loan
Money
3 To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court
4 To Choose a Committe to Seat People in ye meeting
house
Amos Dorman
Simon Bradstreet Select
Joseph Gould men
Thomas Robinson of
Jacob Peabody Topsfd
Datd Topsfield March ye 15 th 1725-6
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield
A True Copy of ye Notification
attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
At Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March ye22d:
1725 -6
1 Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The Town gave Liberty for swine to go at Large accord-
ing as ye Law gives Liberty voted
3 Zacheus Gould is Chosen grand Jury man for ye year
Ensuing voted
& Ivory Hovey & David Balch are Chosen to serve on ye
Jury of Tryalls at the next Inferiour Court to be holden at
Ipswich voted
4 The Town agreed that ye Trustees, Namely, Cap1 Joseph
Gould, Dean John Howlett & Mr Nath11 Porter; Shall Call in
8
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
one fifth part of ye Principal of the Towns Loan money: of
such person or persons to whom said money was Lett out
where said money may be most Conveniently be had accord-
ing to their sound judgment & Discrestion : & pay in ye same
unto ye Province Treasurer by ye first day of June next ac-
cording to ye General Court Act made & passed in Novem-
ber 1725 voted
5 William Porter, Thomas Gould, William Town, Quarter”1
Nath11 Bordman: and Jacob Estey ; are Chosen a Committe
to Seat People in the meeting house voted
Pursuant to a Warrant to me Directed from under y€ hands
of ye Selectmen of Topsfield by vertue of sd warrant The
freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Topsfield
such as are Quallified for voting as ye Law Directs are to take
Notice to meet at ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday
the Tenth of this Instant May at Tenn of ye Clock in ye fore-
noon
first To Choose a Representative to serve at ye Great and
General Court
2ly To agree upon a time when to pay in Mr Osgoods
Sallary
3 To Choose a Committee to make up ye wall about ye
Parsonage where any Person or Persons shall Refuse or Neg-
lect to make up his or their part of sd wall
4 To see if Town will agree to turn ye way that Leads
through Dean Redingtons Land on ye south side of River
5 To Receive the Committees Return of apportioning the
fence about ye parsonage
6 to Choose Jury men for Ipswich Court
7 To Choose men to Answer ye Petition of ye Inhabitants
of Topsfield On ye south side of Nickolses brook Relating to
their being set of to a Precinct
Datd Topsfield May ye 6: 1726
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield
A True Copy of ye Notification Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield May ye 10 : 1726
1 Mr Isaac Peabody is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
9
2 Capfc Joseph Gould Chosen to Represent ye Town at ye
general Court for ye year Ensuing voted
3 The Town accepted of ye Committees return of setting
out to Each free householder Their Respective proportion to
fence about ye Parsonage Land in TopsfLeld voted
Mr Ivory hovey Enters his Contrary Decent to ye Last
vote above Entered
4 Where as Mr Osgood did Consent to begin his year at
ye first of march 1725-6 and ye Town finding it inconvenient
on several Accounts Therefore the Town and Mr Osgood do
now Agree to begin ye year of his service in ye ministry on
ye first Day of July next voted
5 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen & appointed to appear at
ye Generali Court in behalf of ye Town to give in the reason
why ye Inhabitants of Topsfield on ye south side of Nichol-
ses brook (so called) should not be sett of to another Par-
rish or Precinct voted
6 The Town Agreed that ye Present Selectmen should draw
up the Reasons why ye Prayer of ye Petition of ye above said
Inhabitants should not be granted voted
At a Legall Town meeting in Topsfield May ye 18th 1726
1st Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2ly The Town did manifest by a vote that they are willing
that Mr Osgood should Continue with us in ye work of ye
ministry voted
The freehol[d]ers & other Inhabitants of Topsfield such
as are Quallified as ye Law Directs for voting are to take
Notice to meet at the meeting house in Topsfield on ffryday
ye Tenth Day of June next at two of ye Clock in sd Day
first to agree upon some method to find out ye truth of those
Scandalous reports Concerning Mr Osgood
2 To see if ye Town will agree to set of ve Inhabitants of
Topsfield on the south westerly side of Nickolses brook to
joyn with other inhabitants to make a Township and to do
any other thing or things that the Town shall then think
needfull & proper to be done Thomas Robinson
Datd Topsfield May ye 31st 1726 Simon Bradstreet
John Wildes Constable for Topsfield Jacob Peabody
10
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
this is a True Copy of ye Notification attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield June ye 10th 1726
1 Mr Isaac Peabody is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2ly The Town agreed to Choose a Committe to joyn with
y ® Committe which ye Church hath Already Chosen to finde
out ye truth of those Scandalous Reports Concerning Mr
Osgood voted
3 Quartermtr Nath11 Bordman, Mr Thomas Gould, & Mr
Benjamen Town, are Chosen a Committe for sd Service voted
4 And when sd Committe have made search into & found
out what they can of ye truth of those Scandalous reports
that are concerning Mr Osgood sd Committe are to inform
y45 Selectmen thereof in order for ye Towns being Called to-
gether and then ye said Committe to make report to yeTown
of what they have found out Relating to sd Scandalous Re-
ports in order for ye further proseeding in that matter voted
5 Where as Thomas Caves Edward Putnam & Joseph
Knight & five other the Inhabitants of Topsfield on ye south
side of Nickolses brook have Petition*1 to ye Town of Tops-
field At a Legall Town meeting June ye 10th 1726 for all ye
Lands belonging to ye Town of Topsfield on ye southerly or
westerly side of Nickolses brook with all ye Inhabitants now
Dwelling on sd Lands to Joyn with some of ye Inhabitants of
Salem Andover & Boxford to make a Township and also to
sett to sd Petitioners their proportion of ye Towns parsonage
& all other undivided Lands in ye Town of Topsfield The
Town having Considered of ye sd Petition have Agreed that
it should be dismist voted
To Mr John Willdes Constable of Topsfield greeting
In his Majesties Name you are hereby Required forthwith
to warn the freeholders & other Inhabitants Quallified as ye
Law Directs for voting on ye north side of ye River to meet
at ye meeting house in Topsfield, on ye seventeenth day of
this Instant June, at three of ye Clock in ye after noon first
to Receive ye Committies return that were Chosen to find out
ye truth of Those Scandalous Reports Concerning mr Osgood
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
! I
2ly To see if ye Town will give Mr Osgood a Dismission
from ye work of ye ministry in this Town
3 To agree upon some method to pay to Mr Osgood what
is due to him from ye Town for his work in the ministry in
this town
Amos Dorman
Thomas Robinson
Jacob Peabody
Dat Topsfield June ye 16:1726
Selectmen
of Topsfield
Topsfield June 17:1726 By vertue of this warrant I have
warned ye Inhabitants of ye Town of Topsfield on ye -north
side of ye river according to time & Place within mentioned
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield
A true copy of warrant & return attest Jacob Peabody
Town Cler
At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield June ye 17th 1726
1 Mr Isaac Peabody is Chosen Moderator for sd meeting
voted
To the Town of Topsfield Now Assembled & met. Where-
as we the Subscribers were Chosen a Committe by ye Church
& Town to find out ye truth of those Scandalous Reports
Concerning Mr Osgood : Accordingly we have made Dilli-
gent search and have gotten ye best Information we could
and we find nothing worthy of Raising such scandalous Re-
ports Concerning Mr Osgood and by the best Information
that we could find we do Judge that some of those Reports
were Raised by and we went to house with mr Osgood to
see them face to face and to hear what they then would ac-
cuse sd Osgood with and to give them a Sivel Discourse but
ye Refused to make any Discourse with Mr Osgood, or with
us: but said that they had Nothing to say to us and asked
us what power we had to ask them Concerning such things
and said that knew nothing about those stories Concerning
Mr Osgood: Dat. Topsfield June 17:1726
Daniel Clark
Jacob Towne
This is a True Copy of ye Return Elisha Perkins
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk Nath11 Bordman
Benja Towne
2
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
2 The above written Return being twice Thomas Gould
Publicly read ye Town Accepted thereof voted
3 The Town agreed that ye present Selectmen shall take
Care to pay Mr Osgood with ye Towns money what shall be
Due to him from ye Town when this month is out for his
work in ye ministry Amongst us voted
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Topsfield such as
are Quallified as the Law Directs for voting are hereby Noti-
fied to meet at the meeting house in Topsfield on fryday the
Ninth of this Instant September at Twelve of ye Clock on sd
day first to see if ye Town will proceed in order to ordain Mr
Osgood
2 To Allow bills of Charge. 3ly to Choose overseers for
ye poor
4 To Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court
Amos Dorman
Datd Topsfield Sep11 2nd 1726
John Willdes Constable for
Topsfield
Joseph Gould
Thomas Robinson
Simon Bradstreet
Jacob Peabody
Select-
men
of
Tops-
field
At a Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 ye 9th 11726
1 Mr Isaac Peabody is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 The Town have manifested by a vote that they were
willing to prosceed in order to ordain the Reverend Mr Will-
iam Osgood voted
3 The Town allowed to Mr Eliezer Lake Eleven shillings
& four pence it being what Isaac Powers was Rated in Tops-
field in 1724 which sd Lake being Constable could not git
voted 1 1-4
4 The Town Allowed to Joseph How one pound one shill-
ing for sweeping the meeting house from ye Twenty fift day of
October 1725 till ye twenty fift Day of October 1726
voted 1-1-0
5 The Town Allowed Eight pound to John Nickols & John
Burton for Rebuilding this Towns part of ye bridge which is
over ye river near to Edward Putnams house sd bridge being
built this year voted 800
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
13
6 The Town allowed five shillings to John Wildes for warn-
ing ye Inhabitants of Topsfield on ye North Side of River to
a Town meeting voted 050
7 The Town allowed Twenty shillings to Mr Simon Brad-
street for serving Schoolmaster in 1725 voted 1-0-0
8 Jonathan Willdes & Robert Perkins are Chosen to serve
on ye Jury of Trialls at the next Inferior Court to be holden
at Newbery voted
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of Topsfield such as
are Quallified as ye Law Directs for voting are hereby Noti-
fied to meet at the meeting house in Topsfield on Wednes-
day ye Twenty third day of November Currant at Ten of the
Clock on said day
1 first to Allow bills of Charge
2 To Receive the Committies Return of Seating People in
the meeting house
3 ly To agree upon a method to Dispose of ye intrest of the
Towns Loan money
4ly To agree upon a Method to Stir up People to Make
up their Respective proportion of fence about ye Parsonage
Land in Topsfield according as it hath been Laid out
5 ly To take Care to procure Plank to Cover ye bridge over
ye River in Topsfield
61y To see if the town will give Liberty to some of our
Neighbours in Ipswich to set up a stable near ye meeting
house in Topsfield
7ly To see if ye Town will give Liberty to John Clark to
Live in ye watch house this winter
Datd Topsfield Novem : 1 7th 1 726 Joseph Gould Select-
John Willdes Constable for Thomas Robinson men of
Topsfield Jacob Peabody Topsfield
A True Copy of ye Notification attest Jacob Peabody Town
Clerk
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield Novem : 23d 1726
1 Mr Isaac Peabody is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2ly The Town allowed Twelve shillings to Dean John How-
let for serving Representative Thre Days at ye general Court
in Aprill 1726 voted 0120
14
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
3I y The Town Allowed four shillings & six pence to Jacob
Averill for slabs to mend ye highways this year voted 046
4ly The Town Allowed two shillings to Jesse Dorman for
Timber to mend ye falls bridge voted 020
5 ly The Town Allowed Eighteen shillings to Cap1 Joseph
Gould Dean John howlet & Mr Nath11 Porter for their trouble
in taking in ye intrest of the Towns Loan money this year
voted o 18 o
61y The Town Allowed one pound four shillings to Eliezer
Lake & Jacob Peabody for sitting out to Each man his pro-
portion to fence about ye parsonage voted 1-4-0
7I y The Town allowed six shillings to Clerk Elisha Perkins
for Timber to mend the bridge near to said Perkinses house
this year voted 060
81y The Town agreed & ordred ye Trustees viz Cap1 Joseph
Gould Dea11 John Howlett & Mr Nath11 Porter to pay in ye
intrest of the Towns Loan money (that is Due to ye Town) to
ye present selectmen & said selectmen are to Dispose of it to
ye Towns Use & benefit voted
9ly The Town Agreed to have ye River bridge Covered
with plank ye next summer voted
ioly The Town granted Liberty to Samuel Potter, Caleb
Foster, Abraham How & Others of our Neighbours in Ips-
wich to sit up a stable on ye Plain Northerly of & near ye
meeting house voted
illy The Town granted Liberty to Clerk Elisha Perkins &
Ser Joshua Town to sit up a stable at ye Southerly End of
Cap1 Goulds stable near ye meeting house voted
Boston May 27: 1726
Recd of Cap1 Joseph Gould one of ye Trustees of ye Town
of Topsfield the sum of Fifty one pounds being the first fift
part of their proportion of ye £ 50000
P Jer: Allen Treasurer
This is a True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler
At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield Jany 31 : 1726-7
1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The Town allowed Ten shillings to Sam11 Howlet for vic-
tualing the widow Mary Averill & her Nurse Eight Days ye
summer past voted o 10 o
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS*
15
3 The Town allowed four shillings to Hannah Averill for
Nursing or tending the sd widow Mary Averill Eight Days ye
summer past voted 040
4 The Town Allowed one pound Ten shillings to Jonathan
Willdes for keeping the widow Mary Averill seventeen Days
in August Last past voted 1 10 o
5 The Town Allowed three pound Ten shillings to ye
widow Phoebe Goodhall for keeping the widow Mary Aver-
ill seven weeks next after she came from Jonathan Willdes
voted 3 10 O
6 The Town Allowed to y? widow Anne Averill one pound
for keeping the widow Mary Averill five weeks next to ye
Wido : Goodhall voted 100
7 The Town Allowed one pound Ten shillings to ye widow
Luce Town for keeping the widow Mary Averill about Ten
weeks next after Anne Averill voted I 10 o
8 The Town Allows twelve shillings to Mr Nath11 Porter
for his trouble in setting out to Each man his proportion to
fence about ye parsonage voted 0120
9 The Town Allowed five shillings to Mr Daniel Clark for
a Glasser & his horse two Days when he Mended ye meeting
house Glass in 1724 voted 050
Recd of Jacob Dorman Constable of Topsfield the sum of
four pounds Nineteen shillings & two pence in full for ye
County Rate for sd Town
March: 5: 1725 P John Appleton County Treas:
This is A True Copy attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for voting are
hereby Notified to meet at the meeting house in Topsfield
on Tuseday ye seventh day of March next after the date
hereof at Eight of ye Clock in ye morning on sd day
1 To Choose Town Officers such as the Law Requires or
Allowes to be Chosen at such meeting
2 To Choose a man To take Care of and Amend any
breach that is or may be in ye meeting house
3 To see if ye Town will see Cause to turn ye way that
Goes through Sam11 Howlets pasture
4 To Choose a County Treasurer
1 6
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Dat : Topsfield ffeb : 14th 1726-7
John Willdes Constable of
Topsfield
Thomas Robinson
Joseph Gould
Simon Bradstreet
Jacob Peabody
Select-
men of
Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March ye 7th
1726-7
1 Dean John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year Ensu-
ing voted
3 Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye year
Ensuing voted
4 John Willds & David Cummings are Chosen Constables
for ye year Ensuing voted
5 Quartermaster Nath11 Bordman Corp1 Jacob Towne Benja
Towne Thomas Gould and William Redington are Chosen
Selectmen for ye year Ensuing voted
6 Samuel Smith Corp1 Tobijah Perkins and Richard Towne
are Chosen Tything men for the year Ensuing voted
7 Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Sealer of Leather for ye
year Ensuing voted
8 Mr Daniel Clark Job Averill Thomas Dwinel Jonathan
Perkins & Isaac Peabody are Chosen Surveyers of highways
for ye year Ensuing voted
9 Jacob Estey & John Towne are Chosen fence viewers for
ye year Ensuing voted
10 Jacob Redington & Daniel Gould are Chosen Hog-
reeves for ye year Ensuing voted
1 1 Mr William Porter is Chosen Schoolmaster for ye year
Ensuing voted
12 Mr Daniel Clark is Chosen to take care and Amend
any breach that is or may be in Meeting house for ye year
Ensuing voted
13 Mr Daniel Clark Mr Thomas Gould & Mr Jacob Estey
are Chosen to view the way that Leads through Samuel
Howlets Pasture to see if sd way may turned with Conven-
iency. And to make Report to ye Town what their Opinion
Concerning it at ye next Town Meeting voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
1 7
14 Mr Nath11 Averill is Chosen to serve on ye Grand Jury
& Doc* Michael Dwinel & are Chosen to serve on ye Jury
of Tryals at ye Inferiuer Court to be holden at Ipswich voted
15 Thomas Robinson & Daniel Towne are chosen held
Drivers for ye year Ensuing voted
The Several Officers Chosen at ye above sd Town Meeting
of whom an oath is by Law Required were all sworn to ye faith-
full discharge of Their Respective Offices on ye seventh and
on ye Tenth days of March 1726-7 Excepting Jacob Towne
Entred by order of the Selectmen : Jacob Peabody Town Cler
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified according as the Law Directs for
voting: are hereby Warned & Notified to meet at ye Meeting
house in Topsfield on Tuseday the Twenty Eighth Day of
March Currant at one of the Clock in the Afternoon on said
Day
1 To see if ye Town will Concur with the Church in what
they have done in order to ordain Mr Willm Osgood
2 To see if ye Town will Choose Two men to Joyn with ye
Churches Committy that are to Discourse [with] the Minis-
ters y*ye Church have Chosen to Ordain Mr Willm Osgood
3 To see if ye Town will Answer the Petition of some of
the Inhabitants on the south side of Nickoles Brook to abate
their Rates towards the Minister in Topsfield
4 To see what they will do in order to fence ye Parsonage
Land in Topsfield
5 To see if the Town Will Give Leave for swine to go at
Large
6 To see if ye Town will allow ye Widow Mary Averills
Petition
7 To Choose Overseers of the Poor
Dated Topsfield March ye 23 : 1726-7 Thomas Gould
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Nathaniel Bordman
This is A True Copy of ye Notification William Redington
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legall Town meeting in Topsfield March ye 28 : 1 727
1 Dean Daniel Redington is Chosen Moderator for this
Meeting voted
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
18
2 Whereas ye Church have agreed to have ye Reverend Mr
William Osgood ordained on the second Wednesday in June
next yeTown do now Readily Concur therewith voted
3 The Town agreed that swine should go at Large this
year according as ye Law Gives Liberty voted
4 The Town Agreed to have ye watch house repaired &
kept in repair voted
5 The Town have Chosen Mr John Perkins to Repair sd
watch house voted
The freeholders and other Inhabitance of the Town of
Topsfield Duly Quallified by Law for voting: are hereby
Warned & Notified to Assemble and Meet together on Tuse-
day the Ninth Currant, at two of the Clock in the After Noon ;
at the meeting house in Topsfield.
ily To Choose a Representative to serve at ye General
Court for ye year Insuing
2ly To Choose Jury men for Ipswich Court
3ly To see if the Town will Concur with what the Church
shall present to them then, in Order to the ordination of Mr
Osgood
4ly To accept of ye Committies Return that was Chosen to
apportion the fence Round the parsonage Land in Topsfield :
to wit: Nath11 Porter and others and to see what they will do
in Order to make up their fence
5ly To Alow bills of Charge
61y To Choose a Committe to view the highway that goeth
through Jacob Redingtons Land in order to turn it
Dated Topsfield May ye 5th 1727 Thomas Gould
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Nath11 Bordman
This is True Copy of the Notification William Redington
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield May ye Ninth:
1727
ily Mr Thomas Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2ly Quarterm:tr Nath11. Bordman is Chosen to serve for and
Represent the Town At the Generali Court the year Insuing
voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
9
3ly The Town agreed that ye Trustees Namely Cap* Joseph
Gould Dea11 John Howlet & Mr Nath11 Porter shall Call in
one fifth part of the Towns Loan money of such Person or
Persons to whom sd money was Let out where sd money
may most Convenient be had According to their sound
Judgement & Discreestion & pay in ye same to ye province
Treasurer by ye first day of June. next According to an Act
Made And passed at the General Court in November 1725
voted
4ly Dean John Howlet Mr Nath11 Averill & Jacob Peabody
are Chosen a Committe to View the highway that Leads
through Jacob Redingtons Land in order to turn it and to
make return to ye Town at ye next Town Meeting : what their
minds are Concerning the turning of sd way voted
Aprill : 24th 1727
We Jacob Towne Jacob Robinson & Benjamin Towne be-
ing appointed and impowered to Perambulate & Renew the
bounds between the Townes of Salem and Topsfield accord-
ly we met with John Preston and Cornelius Tarbell they be-
ing appointed by the Selectmen of Salem for said service
and have Renewed the bounds as they formerly stand Entred
in ye Towns Records
This is a True Copy of ye Return of John Preston
Perambulation with Salem. Cornelius Tarbell
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
Topsfield To John Willdes Constable you are hereby Re-
quired in his Majisties Name to warn and give Notice unto
the Inhabitance of this Town on ye North side of the River
Duly Quallified by Law for Voting that they meet together
on fryday the sixteenth Currant at three of Clock in the after
noon at ye meeting house in Topsfield in order to Choose
one or two men as Attorneys or Agents to Implead the peti-
tioners on the south side of Nickolses Brook in Topsfield
which have Petitioned to the Great and General Court to be
set off in order for a Township
Dated Topsfield June 13: 1727
20
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Jacob Towne
Thomas Gould Selectmen
Benjamin Towne of Topsfield
William Redington
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield June: 16th 1727
Ist Mr Thomas Gould is Chosen moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2ly Mr Nathaniel Bordman & Mr Daniel Clark are Chosen
Attorneys for the Town to Appear at the General Court on
ye Twentieth Currant to Implead the Inhabitants on the
South Side of Nickolses Brook in Topsfield which have Peti-
tioned to the General Court to be set of with other Inhabi-
tants to make a Township : and the said Attorney are to give
in the Reasons to the sd Court why the prayer of said peti-
tion should not be Granted and s:d Attorneys are hereby
fully impowered to use all Lawfull and proper means to pre-
vent the sd Petitions being Granted voted
Topsfield To David Commings Constable of sd Town
Greeting you are hereby Required in his Majisties name to
warn & Notifie all the Inhabitants of sd Town on ye south
side of Ipswich River Duly Quallified for voting in Town
Afairs as the Law Directs: to meet together att the meeting
in Topsfield on Tuseday the fourth of July next at three of
the Clock in ye afternoon on sd Day : for to see and Examine,
Wherefore ye Reverend Mr Osgood hath not Carried on ye
work of ye Ministry Amongst us According to Agreement as
in time past: and to take a prudent Care that we may no
Longer be distitule of the publick worship of God being Car-
ried on Amongst us and if need be to Chuse a Committe for
the same service and make timely Return of your so doing
Jacob Towne Seiectmen
Dated Topsfield June 30th 1727 Benja Towne , T fd
Thomas Gould 01 10pSI
At A Leagall Town Meeting in Topsfield July 4th 1727
1 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 Mr Thomas Gould & Mr Joseph Towne are Chosen a
Com:itte to Suply the Pulpit with a minister to despence the
word of God to us ye three next Sabbaths voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS*
21
3 The Town agreed to send to five ministers viz: the Rev-
ered mr ffisk mr Prescot & Mr Clark all of Salem : Mr Put-
nam of Reading & Mr Barnard of Andover and desire them
to meet together in Topsfield on ye nineteenth of this Instant
July and to Give us their advice in what may be proper for
us to do under our present scircumstances inasmuch as ye
Reverend Mr William Osgood. Whom the Town & Church
had agreed with to be our settled minister hath Left us voted
Mr Thomas Gould & Mr Joseph Towne are Chosen to De-
sire ye sd ministers to meet together for ye End aforesd and
sd Gould & Towne are to take Care that suteable provision
be made for sd ministers where they shall think it most Con-
venient in Topsfield voted
The free Holders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield Such as are Qualified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing are Notified and warned to Assemble and Meet together
at the Meeting House in Topsfield on Wednesday the Nin-
teenth Currant at Eight of ye Clock before noon on said day
1 To Choose A Committe to Inform the Reverend Minis-
ters that the Town And Church hath made Choice of: And
to Lay before Them ye Difficult Circumstances that We the
Town & Church Labour under in Respect of the Reverend
Mr William Osgood
2 If any Person In sd Town are Agrieved they are Desired
to Make their personal appearance at time & place and make
known their grevience In order. In order to Bar Mr Os-
goods settling amongst us in the Ministry
Dated Topsfield July the 13th: 1727 Thomas Gould
Jacob Towne
This is a True Copy of ye notification Benjamin Towne
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk Selectmen
of Topsfid
At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield Jnly ye 19th 1727
1 Mr Jacob Towne is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting
voted
2 Dean Daniel Redington Mr Nath11 Bordman Mr Zacheus
Gould Mr Benja Towne and Mr John Prichitt are Chosen a
Committe to Inform the Reverend Ministers that that ye Town
and Church have made Choice of : And to Lay before them
22
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
the Difficult Circumstances the Town & Church Labour un-
der in Respect of ye Reverend Mr William Osgood voted
3 The Town agreed to send to such of sd Reverend Elders
as are now in Town and Desire them to Come up to ye meet-
ing house
4 The Town agreed to Leave the whole of the present
Concern Refering to Mr William Osgood and the Town:
To the Reverend Elders that the Church & Town hath sent
for to advize us in that afair : voted
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of yeTown of Tops-
field such As are Quallified for Voting as the Law Directs
are hereby Notified to meet At the Meeting house on Tuse-
day ye fifteenth Day of August Currant at one of ye Clock
on said day after noon
1 To Choose a Committe to make up Accompts with Mr
William Osgood
2 To Choose a Com1^ to supply ye Pulpit
3 To see what Method the Town will take to Support the
Pulpit: Whether by Contribution or other ways.
Datd Topsfield august ye 12: 1727 Thomas Gould
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Jacob Towne
Benja Towne
Willm Redington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Leagall Town meeting in Topsfield August ye 15th
1727
1 Dea11 Daniel Redington is Chosen moderator for this
meeting voted
2 The Town Agreed that the present Selectmen or any of
them shall make up And Settle accompts with Mr William
Osgood Referring to his service in the work of ye Ministry
in Topsfield voted
3 Mr Nath11 Averill mr Zacheus Gould Ens Timothy Per-
kins & Mr Daniel Clark are Chosen a Committe to Agree
with three Ministers to Preach to and Amoungst us three
Sabbath Days a piece and the time to begin ye Last Sabbath
in August Currant voted
4 And sd Comtee are to take Care to provide Quarters for
such ministers as they shall Git to preach: for ye time above
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
mentioned voted
5 The Town Agreed to Contribute towards the paying of sd
Ministers During ye sd Term voted
May ye 15th 1727
We the Subscribers being appointed by the Selectmen of
our Respective Towns viz : Wenham, & Topsfield ; to Per-
ambulate on ye Line between our sd Towns, have according
to Agreement Renewed the heap of stones by the End of
Wenham Casway & the Clump of Maples at ye Edge of the
Medow so as ye Brook Runs to a stake & heap of stones
near to Robinsons Island and so on ye Line of Pigdins Mea-
dow (so called) to the Island & on ye Ditch to the River, as
the Line of Townships is stated Witness our hands ye Day
above sd
for Topsfied David Batchelder
Michael Dwinei Josiah Hairfield for Wenham
Daniel Clark This is a True Copy of ye Return
Robert Perkins Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
The free Holders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield Such as are Qualified as ye Law Directs for voting
are hereby Notified and Warned to Assemble and meet to-
gether at the Meeting house in said Town on Tuseday the
Ninteenth Currant At Two of ye Clock on sd day
Ist To see if the Town will agree upon a Rule to Raise
money To Defray Town Charges
2 To Allow Bills of Charge
3 To see if the Town will agree that ye advice of the Rev-
erend Ministers Concerning Mr William Osgood shall be En-
tered in the Town Records: to wit the advice that was Left
by ye Reverend Mr ffiske and others
4 to Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court
5 to Accept of the Return of the Committe that was Cho-
sen to Turn ye way that Layeth through Jacob Redingtons
Land.
Jacob Towne
Dated Topsfield September 16th 1727 William Redington
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
24
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Sep1 19th 1727
1 Mr Thomas Gould is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted
2 The Town agreed that the Selectmen in apportioning
the Town Rate (that shall be needful for ye Defraying ye
town Charges for this year) shall Lay five shillings on Each
Ratable pole to Every hundred pounds and so in that pro-
portion for a Greater or Lesser sum voted
3 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark Eighteen shill-
ings for six mens dinners viz ye four Reverend Ministers;
and two Mr Osgoods, and also thirteen shillings & six pence
for other nescesarys for sd Gentlemen on ye Day that the
Ministers Gave their advice to ye Town Concerning Mr Os-
good voted i-n-o
4 The Town allowed to Joseph how fifteen shillings for
sweeping ye meeting house from ye Twenty first day of Octo-
ber 1726 till sometime in June 1727 O 15 o
5 The Town Allowed to Mr Simon Bradstreet for serving
school-master in 1727 100
6 The Town Allowed to ye widow Anne Averill fourty
shillings for keeping and Looking after ye widow Mary Aver-
ill five weeks some time ye Last spring 200
7 The Town allowed to Ephraim Willdes three shillings
for Carrying ye wido Mary Averill from Jonathan Willdes
his house to the widow Phebe Goodhalls in ye year 1726 O 3 O
8 The Town Allowed to John Wildes Eight shillings for
warnning Two Town meetings some time in ye summer past
voted 0-8-0
9 Samuel Howlett & Joseph Dorman are Chosen to serve
on ye Jury of Tryalls at ye Next Inferiour Court to be hold-
en at Newbery voted
The freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing are hereby Notified And warned to Assemble and meet
together at the meeting house in Topsfield On Tuseday the
thirty first Currant at twelve of the Clock on said day
1 To Choose a Representative to serve in a Great and
General Court or Assembly Appointed to be holden at the
Court House in Boston Upon Wednesday the Twenty second
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
25
Day of November next Ensuing the Date hereof
2 To allow Bills of Charge
3 To see if the Town will take further Care that the Par*
sonage Land May be fenced in
Dated Topsfield October 28th 1727 Jacob Towne
David Commings Constable of Topsfield Thomas Gould
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
At a Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield October 31st 1 727
1 Dean Daniel Redington is Chosen Moderator for this
meeting voted
2 Quartermaster Nath11 Bordman is Chosen Representive
to serve at a General Court or Assembly to be holden at ye
Town house in Boston On ye Twenty second Day of Novem-
ber next Ensuing voted
3 The Town Allowed to Jacob Robinson Jacob Towne &
Benjamin Towne seven shillings and six pence for perambu-
lating on ye Line between Salem and Topsfield in April 1727
voted 0-7-6
4 The Town Allowed fourteen shillings to Clerk Elisha
Perkins for Entertaining Mr White and his horse four Sab-
bath Days ye summer past voted O 14 o
5 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark two pound four
shillings and six pence for keeping a minister & his horse
Eight Sabbath Days voted 246
6 The Town allowed to Mr Daniel Clark one pound for
going to Boston and fagintown four Day to prevent sd
fagingtown being set off as a township voted 100
7 The Town allowed to Thomas Gould Joseph Towne
one pound four shillings for going to Desire the Reverend
Ministers to meet together in Topsfield to Give their advice
to the Town and Church Concerning Mr William Osgood
voted 140
8 The Town Allowed to Thomas Gould five shillings for
Perambulating with Ipswich Men in 1724 & with Boxford in
1727 voted 050
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field Such as are Qualified for Voting as ye Law Directs are
hereby Notified and warnd to Assemble and Meet together
2 6
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
at ye Meeting house in Topsfield on ye seventeenth Currant
at one of the Clock after noon on sd Day
First To see what Method the Town will take to Supply
ye Pulpit
2 To see what ye Town will do in order to Clear with Mr
William Osgood
3 To Allow bills of Charge
4 To see if ye Town will Abate the Inhabitants on ye south
side of Nickolls Brook to the Ministers Rate
5 To see if the Town will Joyn with ye Non Petitioners in
Topsfield to try to Prevent their being set off from us
Jacob Towne
Datd November ye 8th 1727 Thomas Gould
John Willdes Constable of Topsfield William Redington
Paul Averill Benjamin Towne
Thomas Robinson Selectmen of Topsfield
Job Averill
John Commings
Daniel Towne
At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield November 17th
1727
1 Dean John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this
Meeting voted
2 The Town agreed to make Choice of one out of the
three Ministers that have Lastly Preacht with us (viz: Mr
ffitz Gerald Mr Tappan & Mr Bradstreet) to Preach to &
among us some time longer upon probation voted
3 The Town having brought in their votes for one of said
Ministers it appeared that Mr Benjamin Bradstreet had the
Major part of ye votes
4 Dean John Howlet Mr Nath11 Porter & Mr Elisha Per-
kins are Chosen a Committe to Inform the Reverend Ben-
jamin Bradstreet that the Town hath made Choice of himself
to preach to and Amongst us two months Longer: and also
the said Committe are to Agree with ye sd Mr Bradstreet
for sd service voted
5 Mr Nath11 Porter Mr Thomas Gould & Mr Benjamin
Towne are Chosen a Committe to Agree with Mr William
Osgood Concerning ye Parsonage in Topsfield and also to
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
2 7
git an aquitance from sd Osgood to Clear the Town from all
Covenants and agreements that are between said Mr Osgood
& ye Church & Town of Topsfield voted
6 The Town allowed to Samuel Smith two shillings for
Timber to mend the Bridge near the Meeting house voted
To David Commings Constable of Topsfield Greeting &c
You are Hereby Required in his Majisties name to Notifie
and warn the Inhabitance of Topsfield one South Side of
ye River: such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Di-
rects: to assemble and Meet together at the meeting house
in sd Topsfield On Wednesday the Twenty second Currant
atone of the Clock after noon on sd : first To see if the
Town will agree to Give Mr Benja Bradstreet A Call to ye
Ministry amongst us: or to seek Some other way to suplv
Pulpit 2ly: To Allow bills of Charge And make Return of
your so doing at time and place as you will answer ye Con-
trary at ye Perrill of the Law Jacob Towne
Datd Topsfield November ye 20th 1727 Thomas Gould
William Redington
Benja Towne
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield Novemr 22 : 1727
1 Dean John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 Whereas the Church hath agreed to give the Reverend
Mr Benja Bradstreet A Call to the work of the Ministry in
Topsfield The Town Readily Concurs therewith voted
3 Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen to Joyn with ye Committe
y* ye Church hath already Chosen to give the Reverend Mr
Benja Bradstreet a Call to ye work of the Ministry in Tops-
field voted
4 The Town Agreed that in Case Mr Bradstreet is unable
at present or if he doth not incline to preach amonge us any
more then Dea11 John Howlett Mr Elisha Perkins & Mr
Nath11 Porter are impowered to provide some other minister
to preach with us the two next Sabbaths voted
5 The Town allowed to John Wilds Constable fifteen shill-
ings & four pence it being an abatement of Nathan Hoods
head money to ye province & ministers Rates in ye year 1726
he being out of Town before ye sd rates were made voted
28
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
The Inhabitants of the Town of Topsfield Such as are
Quallified for Voting as the Law directs are Notified and
warnd to Assemble and meet together at the meeting house
in Topsfield on Monday ye fourth Day of December Currant
at one of the Clock in the afternoon on sd Day
first To see what method the Town will take to Supply the
Pulpit Whether By sending a Com1*6 to any Perticular gen-
tleman or to Leave it to a Committe to gitt such an one
as they may think fitt for sd service
2ly To Allow bills of Charge
Dated Topsfield December ye first 1727 Jacob Towne
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Thomas Gould
Willm Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legall Town meeting in Topsfield December ye 4:
1727
first Mr Nathaniel Porter is Chosen Moderator for this
Meeting voted
2 Whereas The Church have Agreed to Give Mr Bezaleel
Tappan a Call to settle with us in ye Ministry in Topsfield;
the Town Doth now Concur therewith voted
Notwithstanding ye Last vote the Town for some Reasons
Did Decline sending a Committe to the sd Mr Tappan
3 Mr Joseph Towne Mr Thomas Gould & Jacob Peabody
are Chosen a Committe To procure a Minister or Ministers
to Dispence the word of God to & amongst us in Topsfield
the four next Sabbaths: And sd Committe are to agree
with such minister Or ministers as they shall git for said
service voted
The free holders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as Are Quallified as the Law Directs for vot-
ing Are Hereby Notified and warned to Assemble and meet
together at the Meeting House in Topsfield On Tuseday the
second Day of January Next at Twelve of ye Clock on said
day
1 To see what Method the Town will take for ye further
supplying of the pulpit in Topsfield
2 To see how the Town will Support the Ministry
3 To see if the Town will give Mr Jacob Eliot an Invita-
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
29
tion to Preach to & amongst us in Topsfield sometime Longer
in Order to his settlement with us in the Ministry
4 To see How much money [ye Towne] will order to be
Raised to Defray Town Charges
5 To see What ye Town will do with ye intrest of the Loan
Money
6 To Allow Bills of Charge Jacob Towne
Dated Topsfield December ye 28 : 1727 Thomas Gould
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Benja Towne
Willm Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield Janry ye 2nd:
1727-8
1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this
Meeting voted
2 The Town agreed to give Mr Jacob Eliot an Invitation
to Preach to and amongst us in Topsfield sometime Longer
in Order to his Settlement with us in ye ministry voted
3 Mr Thomas Gould Mr Joseph Towne & Jacob Peabody
are Chosen a Committe to Discourse with sd Mr Eliot to see
if he will see Cause to preach sometime Longer amongst us
in Answer to the above written vote voted
4 The Town Agreed that ye present Selectmen shall Raise
or Levie a Tax of one hundred & Thirty pounds to Defray
Town Charges voted
5 The Town agreed that the Town Treasurer shall Receive
ye Intrest of ye Towns Loan Money (for ye year past) of the
other Trustees viz Capt Gould & Dean Howlett for ye towns
use voted
6 The Town agreed that ye Committee viz Thomas Gould
Joseph Towne and Jacob Peabody shall have power to Draw
Money out of ye town Treasurey to pay Mr Eliot for his ser-
vice in ye Ministry as Long as he shall Preach to & amongst
us in Topsfield upon ye above written vote at Thirty shillings
per day voted
7 The Town Allowed to David Commings Constable
Eleven shillings for warning three Town meetings in ye sum-
mer past voted o— 1 1—0
30
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
8 The Town Allowed to John Willdes Constable four shill-
ings for warning a town meeting in November Last past
voted 0-4-0
9 The Town Allowed to Mr Elisha Perkins Ten shillings
for Entertaining Mr Benja Bradstreet four Sabbaths in ye
summer past voted 0100
10 The Town Allowed to Thomas Dwinel three shillings
for Three Trees to mend ye town bridge voted 030
1 1 The Town Allowed to Benja Towne two shillings for
Timber to mend ye ways in 1727 voted
12 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark one pound
nine shillings & four pence which is for the glass that John
Smith set & mended in the meeting house ye year past Ex-
cept Mrs. Bakers pew windo & ye glass in the west pew
aboue voted 194
13 The Town Allowed to ye Assessors viz Jacob Towne
Thomas Gould Benjamin Towne and William Reddington
for taking ye valuation of the Towns Estate in 1727 five
pound twelve shillings 5120
Boston June 21st 1727
Recd of the Trustees of Topsfield by Mr Nath11 Porter ffifty
one pound being the second fifth part of their Proportion
of the £ 50 000 Loan
ffor my masr Jere Allen Treasurer
P Geor : Rogers
The Inhabitants of the town of Topsfield such as are Qual-
lified for Voting As the Law Directs are Notified & Warnd
to assemble and Meet together at ye Meeting house in Tops-
field on Tuseday ye thirteenth Currant at Eleven of ye Clock
on sd day
first To see if the Town will Concur with ye Church In
giving the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot a Call to the Work of
ye Ministry in Topsfield
2 If the Towne Don* see Cause to Concur With the
Churches vote in Calling ye sd Mr Eliot then to Chuse a
Committe to supply the Pulpit some other way as they may
think best
3 To see If the Town will abate ye Inhabitants of our Town
on the south side of Nickolses Brook their Rates or any part
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
31
charges
for this
of them which is made to Defray Town
year
Datd Topsfield February ye 6th 1727-8 Jacob Towne
John Willdes Constable for Topsfield Thomas Gould
A True Copy of the Notification Benja Towne
Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk Willm Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield ffeb:y 13th
1727-8
1 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this
Meeting voted
2 The Town Agreed (& Concurd with the Church) to give
the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot a Call to settle with us in the
work of the Ministry in Topsfield voted
3 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen in behalf of ye Town to
Joyn with the Committe which the Church hath already
Chosen to give the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot A Call to set-
tle with us in the work of the Ministry in Topsfield voted
Topsfield Feb1^ 21st 1727-28
Received of Mr Jacob Peabody on behalf of the Town
the sum of seven Pounds Ten shillings in full for my Preach-
ing at Topsfield to this Day
P me Jacob Eliot
This is a True Copy of the Receipt attest Jacob Peabody
Town Clerk
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Vot-
ing are hereby Notified and Warned to Assemble and Meet
together at the Meeting house in Topsfield On Tusday the
fift day of March next at Eight of the Clock before noon on
said day
1 To Chuse Town Officers as the Law Directs
2 To see if the Town will give Order to Enter the Advice
of the Reverend Ministers to wit Mr ffisk & others Concern-
ing Mr William Osgood in the Town Records:
Datd Topsfield ffebruary 22: Annoq: Domini 1727-8
32
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
John Wilds Constable for Topsfield
Jacob Towne
Thomas Gould
Benja Towne
William Reddington
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 5th
1727-8
1 Ens Timothy Perkins is Chosen moderator for this
meeting voted
2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for the year
Ensuing voted
3 Mr Nath11 Porter is Chosen Town Treasurer for the year
Ensuing voted
4 Joseph Dorman & ffrancis Peabody are Chosen Con-
stables for ye year Ensuing voted
5 Ens Amos Dorman & Zacheus Gould Quartermstr Nath11
Bordman Ivory Hovey & William Redington are Chosen
Selectmen for ye year Ensuing voted
6 Doc1 Michael Dwinel John Nickols & Luke Averill are
chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing voted
7 Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen sealer of Leather for ye
year Ensuing voted
8 John Dwinel & Ephraim Willdes are Chosen Sirveyers
of ye highways for ye year Ensuing voted
9 John Burton & Joseph Knight are Chosen field drivers
for the year Ensuing voted
10 Mr Daniel Clark & Jacob Robinson are Chosen fence
viewers for ye year Ensuing voted
11 David Balch & Edmon Towne are Chosen Hogreeves
for ye year Ensuing voted
12 Richard Town is Chosen Schoolmaster for ye year En-
suing voted
13 The Town agreed to take up with ye Reverend Minis-
ters Advice viz Mr ffisk & Others Respecting Mr William
Osgood & the Church & Town of Topsfield and Ordred
that ye sd Advice should be Entred on the Town Book
voted
The Town Officers that ware Chosen at ye above said
meeting of whom an oath is by Law Required ; all appeared
at the house of Mr Daniel Clark inn holder in Topsfield imn
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
33
mediatly after said meeting was over & tooke the oath
Proper for their Respective Offices before the Selectmen &
Town Clerk
We the Subscribers being Convened in Topsfield July:
19th 1728 Att the Instance & Request both of ye Town &
church in this place, to give our advice to them refering to
ye Difficulty of their Circumstances The Revd Mr William
Osgood with whom this Town & Church had Agreed to set-
tle with in ye Ministry having Left them
Having had their sd Circumstances Laid before us together
with the Reasons of ye Late Conduct of Mr Osgood in De-
sistting from ye work of ye Ministry amongst them Do give
our thoughts and advice in reference thereto as follows viz
1 We find there has been a Mutual Covenant Entred
into between Mr William Osgood & the Church & Town
of Topsfield that he should settle with them in ye Ministry
2 We find there have been unhappy and grievious rumours
& Reports spread with respect to Mr Osgood that Carry in
them great Detrustion : which Rumours & Reports we dont
find ever to have been proved against him or that he has
been ever Dealt with in an Ecclesiasticale way, or before ye
Civell Magistrate for ye same, which we think Carrvs in it a
presumptive argument that they are without proof. Other-
wise that those who might & whose duty seems to have been
Concerned in their setting things in a Clear Light have been
to blame yt they have not done it : but suffered things for so
Long a time to Continue in ye Dark to ye great Disturbance
of ye peace and hendrance of ye Edification of ye People of
God in this place
3 We must needs approve & Commend the Church & Town
of Topsffeld in the Tender Regard they have manifested both
with respect to their own Covenant with Mr Osgood and
also with respect to his Reputation
4 Inasmuch as Mr William Osgood has Pleaded as ye
Reasons of his Conduct in Desisting from ye work of the Min-
istry in this place that ye Obstructions he has met with as to his
being Ordained to ye Ministry and the Manifold Reflections
that have been Cast upon him are so great a burden upon
his mind that upon Experience he finds himself unable to
34
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
bear up under it, so as to go on in his ministerial work with
that Chearfullness & freedom which he thinks Necessary,
for gods glory, the good of this People, & his own Comfort.
And for ye same Reasons still Moves that the Covenant be-
tween him & this Church & Town, May by them be relin-
quished and disannulled — We do therefore upon the whole
Considering the Exhortation Taking ye Oversight thereof
not by Constraint but willingly — Advise That this Church &
Town fall in with Mr Osgoods motion, he repeating ye same
to them in writing under his hand, and Dismise him from the
Obligations he has in Compliance with their Call, brought
himself under to serve them in the ministry
Finally Brethren in the Bowells of Christ we do Exhort
you seriously to Examine into and humble yourselves Deep-
ly before God, for whatsoever may have been amist in the
Hours of Temptation, that you strive to Abound in Love
Each to other, studying and pursueing the things that make
for peace & where with one may Edifie another, uniting in
your fervent prayers to God that he would give you Peace
always & by all means And that in his own due time (& may
it be speedily) he would happily resettle ye Gospel Ministry
Amongst you ; Thus Commending you to gracious Care &
guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of ye
Sheep & Bishop of Souls We remain your Affectionate
ffriends and servants in Christ Jesus Samuell ffisk
To the Church & Town John Barnard
of Topsfield Benja Prescott
Daniel Putnam
This is a True Copy of ye Advice of the above said Rev-
erend Ministers To the Church & Town of Topsfield Attest
Jacob Peabody To: Cler
To the Church & Town of Topsfield
Gentlemen
These may Certifie — you that I do freely fully & for-
ever aquit and absolve you from all Covenants & Agree-
ments that are between you and myself: And I do sincerely
Desire & wish your Speedy & Lasting Resettlement in ye
Ministry: And pray that ye god of peace wisdom and Order
would be with you and specially aid and assist you for that
end as witness My hand
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
35
Salem Decr 8 : 1727- William Osgood
A True Copy of Mr [Osgood’s] Aquitance sent To ye
Church and Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody Town
Cler
The freeholders and Other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Di-
rects are Here by Notified & warned to Assemble and meet
together at ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 19th
of March Currant at 12 of ye Clock on sd Day
1 To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court according to
warrant
2 To see if the Town will Choose one or Two Men to go to
Ipswich Court to be holden on ye Last Tuseday of March
Currant With a Petition for Money to Defray ye Charge of
Repairing the bridge & Causeway adjoyning to ye sd Bridge
which is Comonly Called the Town Bridge in Topsfield
3 To see if ye Town will see Cause to reconsider their vote
in Concuring with the Church in giving Mr Jacob Eliot a
Call to ye work of the ministry in Topsfid
4 To Allow Bills of Charge Amos Dorman
Datd Topsfield March ye 14: 1727'' Zacheus Gould
Nath11 Bordman
Willm Redington
Selectmen of Topsfield
A True Copy of,ye Notification Attest Jacob Peabody
Town Cler
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March ye 19th
1727-8
1 En3 Amos Dorman is Chosen Moderator for this Meet-
ing voted
2 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen to serve on ye grand jury
at ye next Inferiour Court to be holden at Ipswich voted
3 Mr Daniel Clark & Thomas Gould are Chosen to serve
on ye Jury of Tryalls at the next Inferiour Court to be holden
at Ipswich voted
4 Quarter Master Nath Bordman & Mr John Wildes are
Chosen to Petition to the Court of general Sessions of ye
Peace to be holden at Ipswich on ye Last Tuseday of March
Currant To see if ye Honourable Court will Please to allow
36 EARLY.! RECORDS OF THE TOWN
any thing towards the repairing of ye Bridge which is over ye
River in Topsfield (Commonly Called the Town Bridge) &
the Causway adjoining to it voted
5 The Town Allowed To Doc11 Samuel Wallis of Ipswich
the sum of five pounds sixteen shillings & six pence for
Curing ye widow Mary Averills knee in ye year 1726
voted ;£i-i6— 6
6 The Town allowed to Doc1 Michael Dwinell one shilling
& six pence for perambulating with Wenham men on ye Line
between Wenham & Topsfield in May anno; 1727 ^0-1—6
7 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark six shillings for
his trouble in keeping and waiting on John Smith when he
mended the Meeting house glass in 1727 060
The free Holders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of
Topsfield Such as are Quallified for voting as the Law Di-
rects are hereby notified and warned to Assemble and Meet
together at ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 2n
Day of Aprill next Ensuing the Date hereof at 12 a Clock
on sd day
1 To see If the Town will Choose three Trustees, to go to
ye Province Treasurer for the Towns Proportion of ye 60000
pound Bank of Loan Money and to Impower sd Trustees to
Let out sd Money as the Town shall Agree at this present
Meeting
2 To See if ye Town will Agree upon a Sallary and settle-
ment for the Suport of Mr Jacob Eliot in ye work of ye Min-
istry among: us: and to Chuse a Committee to Inform sd
Mr Eliot of the Towns proceeding Concerning his Sallary
and Settlement with us
3 To see if the Town will Provide Plank to Cover ye Town
Bridge
4 To see if the Town will Agree to Set ye swine go at
Large this year
Datd Topsfield March ye 20th 1727-8 Amos Dorman
Joseph Dorman Constable for Topsfield Zacheus Could
Nathu Bordman
William Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Aprill ye 2nd 1728
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
37
1 Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The freeholders Agreed to Choose Trustees to Receive
of ye province Treasur this Towns Proportion of ye Sixty
thousand pound of Loan money Agreeable to An Act Made
& Passed in the General Court in 1727 voted
3 Mr Amos Dorman Mr Eliezer Lake & Jacob Peabody
are Chosen Trustees to Receive and Let out sd Money ac-
cording to such Rules as the Town shall now agree upon
voted
4 The Town agreed that the said Trustees shall Let out
sd Money at six pound percent peranum voted
5 The said Trustees shall not Let out above Twenty
pound of sd money to any person nor under five pound : And
sd Trustees shall not Keep any more of sd Money for their
own perticular use then is allowed by this vote to any Other
person and not to Let out any of sd money to any out Towns
person voted
6 The Town agreed to give to the Reverend Mr Jacob
Eliot one hundred pounds per annum for his sailary if God
in his providence shall settle him in ye work of ye Ministry
in Topsfield
Amos Dorman
Elisha Perkins
Benja How
Nath11 Bordman
Timothy Perkins
Benja Towne
Daniel Towne
voted
John Perkins
Jacob Perkins
Jonathan Perkins
Joseph Dorman
William Towne
Zacheus Gould
John Dwinel
Jacob Dorman
David Commings
Stebbins Comings
Samuel Towne
Joshua Towne
Edmon Towne
John Commings
These several Persons here above Named All Entered their
Contrary Dissent to the Last vote above written
7 The Town agreed to have ye Town Bridge over ye River
in Topsfield Covered with Plank this Summer voted
8 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen to Provide Plank two
inches & a half thick and fourteen foot long: good white
oak Plank to cover sd bridge as aforsd voted
9 The Town agred that swine should go at Large this
year according as the Law gives Liberty voted
10 Mr Thomas Gould Mr Zacheus Gould & Mr Joseph
Towne & Jacob Peabody are Chosen to Inform the Reverend
33
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Mr Jacob Eliot what the Town has Done this Day Respect-
ing his sailary for his work in the Ministry in Topsfield voted
Amos Dorman Eliezer Lake & Jacob Peabody being Chos-
en Trustees to Receive & Let out the Towns Proportion of
the sixty thousand pound Bank of Loan money: were sworn
to the faithfull Discharge of their Duty & Trust in that Ca-
pacity before ye Selectmen of Topsfield on ye Nineth day
of Aprill, Anno Domini 1728
Entred by Order of ye Selectmen Jacob Peabody Town Cler
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of yeTown of Topsfield
such as are Quallified for voting as ye Law Directs are here-
by Notified and Warned to Assemble and Meet together at
ye Meeting house in Topsfield on Monday ye 29th day of
Aprill Currant at Twelve of ye Clock on sd Day
first to Chuse a Representative to go to ye Great and Gen-
eral Court to be holden at Boston this year According to
Warrant
2 To Recive the Answer which Mr Jacob Eliot sent to
Zacheus Gould one of ye Committe men which Made Re-
turn to ye sd Mr Eliot ot ye Towns proceedings at our Last
Town Meeting
3 By the Desire of Ten or More freeholders of our Town
to see if ye Town will Concur with ye Church in giveing Mr
Bezaleel Tappan a Call to ye work of ye Ministry amongst us
in Topsfield and chuse a Committee to Inform ye said Mr
Tappan of ye Towns Proceeding in sd afair also to see what
ye Town will give to ye sd Mr Tappan for his sallary and
settlement with us if he will be pleased to take up with us
and if ye sd Mr Tappan don* see cause to take up with us
then to Impower the ye same Committe to Supply ye Pulpitt
some other way
4 By the Desire of Ten or more freeholders To see if the
Town will give Mr Jacob Eliot a settlement to support him
in the work of ye Ministry amongst us and to Choose a Com-
mitte to Accompt with Mr Eliot for his Past service
Amongst us
5 To see if If ye Town will agree to Repair or Rebuild ye
Pound and make it According to Law
6 To allow Bills of Charge
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
39
Datd Topsfield Aprill ye 22 : 1728 Amos Dorman
Zacheus gould
Joseph Dorman Constable Nathaniel Bordman
for Topsfield Will"1 Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
This is True Copy of the Notification Attest Jacob Pea-
body Town Clerk
At aLegall Town meeting in Topsfield Aprill ye 29th 1728
1 Dea" John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative for ye
Town Agreeable to ye Precept Lately sent to ye selectmen
voted
3 The second & third Perticulars or Articles in ye notifi-
cation for the warning this Meeting were brought under
Consideration in order: and after Considerable Debate had
thereupon they past a vote upon Each of them in order to
dismise them as not thinking it Convenient to act anything
upon them
4 The Town Agreed to give to the Reverend Mr Jacob
Eliot one hundred Pounds in bills of Credit toward his set-
tlement & for his Encouragement to settle with us in ye Min-
istry to be paid as the Town & Mr Eliot shall agree if sd
Mr Eliot shall be Ordaind & settled in ye ministry in Tops-
field voted
5 Mr Nathaniel Aaveril Mr Elisha Perkins & Mr John
Willds are Chosen a Committe to Adjust Accounts with ye
Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot for his past service in ye work of
ye Ministry amongst us and also to Desire sd Mr Eliot to
give or send his Answer to ye Town in full Refering to his
settling with us in the Ministry in Topsfield
6 John Perkins & Jonathan Willdes are Chosed to Repair
ye Pound if repairing will Doo : but if not they are to Build
& make a good sufficient pound that will Answer ye Law
voted
7 The Town Allowed six shillings to Ebenr Nichols for
warning Two town meetings in 1726 voted 060
8 the Town allowed Eighteen shillings to Dan Clark for
sweeping the meeting house thre Quarters of a year in 1727
voted 00-18-0
40
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
To Mr Joseph Dorman Constable of Topsfield you are
hereby Required in his Majesties Name to Warn the free-
holders & other Inhabitants on ye north side of the River in
Topsfield such as are Quallified for voting as the Law directs
To Assemble & meet together in ye Meeting house in Tops-
field on Munday ye sixth day of May Currant at two of ye
Clock on sd day afternoon
i To Receive Mr Jacob Eliots Answer to the Town
2ly To see If the Town will see Cause to Choose a Com-
mitte to Inform Mr Bezabeel Tappan that he has a Call to ye
work of ye Ministry in Topsfield : By the Church and a Con-
currance by ye Town And to see what the Town will give
him for his sailary & settlement if he sees Cause to take up
with us to settle here in ye work of ye Ministry: but if ye sd
Mr Tappan dont see Cause take up with us
To Give the same Committe Power to supply the Pulpit
some other way as the Town may think best: or if ye town
dont see Cause to send to ye sd Mr Tappan then to Choose a
Committe to supply ye Pulpit as ye Town shall Agree
3 To Allow Bills of Charge fail not to make Return of
your doing at time & pi Amos Dorman
Datd Topsfield May ye 4th 1728 Zacheus gould
Nath11 Bordman
William Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
A proper Return was made & the Inhabitants on ye south
side of ye River being likewise warnd the meeting was as folows
At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield May ye 6th 1728
1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The Town agreed that ye answer which Mr Jacob Eliot
has sent to ye Town this Day shall be Entred in ye Town
Book voted
3 The Town past a Vote to Manifest their minds for Mr
Tappan to be our minister by Proxse voted
4 The Town having brought in their Proxse it Appeared
that ye sd Mr Tappan had a great Majority of votes
5 Ens Amos Dorman Mr Nath11 Borman & Mr Elisha Per-
kins are Chosen a Committe to Inform the Reverend Mr
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
41
Bezaleel Tappan of ye Town proceeding this day Refering
To his being our minister & to give the sd Mr Tappan an
Invitation to Preach sometime with us in Order to a Settle-
ment in ye work of ye ministry In Topsfield voted
6 But in Case ye sd Mr Tappan shall Decline Comming to
Preach amongst us then sd Committe are Impowered to pro-
vide some other Minister or Ministers to preach to and
Amongst us the four Next Sabbaths voted
7 The Town allowed five pound to Mr. Tobijah Perkins
for keeping Mr Eliot & horse Ten weeks in ye winter past
voted 500
Mr Eliots Answer To the Church and Town of Topsfield.
Honored and Beloved
After a further and full Consideration of the Call you
have given me to the work of the Ministry among you and
all the Circumstances thereof : I Cannot see my way clear to
accept it; since you were so much divided in your Choice
and Remaining so or more so still; as has been Manifested
in some Votes Referring thereto. In hopes therefore of greater
peace, Love awd Union, among yourselves I do by these
presents discharge myself of the Obligations I have been
under to supply your Pulpit: & shall not upon ye Present
foundation Continue my Ministerial Labours among you
any Longer — so praying that you may fully unite in your
Affections to one another and in such an one to be your
Pastor as may through the glorious Head of Influences be a
happy Instrument of Promoting Peace and Holiness Among
you ; I Remain a fervent Well Wisher of your Temporal and
Eternal Happyness
Jacob Eliot
Boston May ye 2d 1728
This is a True Copy of Mr Eliots Answer to the Church &
Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops-
field such as are Qualified for Voting as the Law Directs are
hereby notified & warnd to Assemble & meet together in ye
Meeting house in Topsfield on Wednesday ye 27th Day of
May Currant at one of ye Clock on sd day afternoon
first To see if ye Town will see Cause to make Choice of
42
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Mr John Emerson to supply the Pulpit some time Longer in
order to his settlement with us in ye work of the Ministry &
to Choose a Committe to discourse with ye sd Mr Emerson
in ye sd afair & to make return to ye Town if ye Town do
agree as above sd : but if ye Town or Mr Emerson refuses
then to Impower ye same or Chuse another Committe to
supply ye Pulpit some other way as the Town shall agree
2ly To see if ye Town will Impour ye Comtee to draw
money out of ye Town Treasury to pay ye sd Mr Emerson
for his service with us
3 To see if ye Town will Impower ye former Trustees to
Pay in ye 5th part of ye Towns Loan Money to ye Province
Treasurey
4 To Allow bills of Charge
Dated in Topsfield May the 24th 1728 Amos Dorman
Joseph Dorman Constable Zacheus Gould
of Topsfield Willm Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 27th 1728
first Dean Daniel Reddington is Chosen Moderator for
this meeting voted
2 The Town have made Choice of the Reverend Mr John
Emerson to supply the Pulpit some time Longer in order to
his settlement with us in ye work of the Ministry in Topsfield
voted
3 Dean Daniel Reddington Dean John Howlett Mr Elisha
Perkins Mr Nath11 Bordman & Mr Ivory Hovey are Chosen
a Committee to discourse with sd Mr Emerson in sd afair and
if sd Mr Emerson shall Refuse to Come as afore sd the sd
Comtee are Impowered to supply the Pulpit by some other
gentle"1 four Sabbaths next after he so Refuses voted
4 The Town agreed that ye Comtee viz Mr Elisha Perkins
Mr Amos Dorman & Mr Nath11 Bordman are Impowered to
draw money out of ye Town Treasury to pay said Mr. Emer-
son for his preaching amongst us four Sabbaths voted
5 The Town agreed & ordred that ye former Trustees
shall pay in ye third : fift part of ye Towns former Loan mon-
ey to the Province Treasurer by ye first of June next voted
6 The Town Allowed to Dan Clark two shillings whjch
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
43
with Eighteen shillings that ye town hath already allowed :
Makes one pound for sweeping ye meeting house three
Quarters of a year in 1727 voted
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law directs are here-
by Notified & Warnd to assemble and meet together in ye
meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 2nd day of July
next at 12 of ye Clock on sd day
r To see if ye Town will Choose a Comtee to Provide
Quarters for Mr John Emerson and to agree with him for his
service with us in ye future
2 To see if the Town Chuse a Comtee to Joyn with Red-
ding Committe to Try if they can git a fish Course Cleared
up Ipswich River
3 To see what the Town will do Concerning the families
that Petition Not be set of to Wills hill &c.
4 to allow bills of Charge
Dated Topsfield June ye: 1728 Amos Dorman
Joseph Dorman Constable Zacheus Gould
of Topsfield Will”1 Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield July ye 2nd 1728
1 Cap1 Joseph Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 Mr Elisha Perkins Mr Nath11 Bordman & Cap1 Joseph
Gould is Chosen Committe to provide Quarters for the Rev-
erend Mr John Emerson & Agree with him for his service in
the ministry amongst us for ye future — Until the Town shall
otherwise agree voted
3 Mr Joseph Towne Mr John Hovey & Mr Benja Towne
are Chosen & Impowered A Committe to Joyn with ye Com-
mitte y1 Redding hath Chosen to Try if they can git a fish
course clead up Ipswich River & ye Town will stand by &
defend them in all their Lawfull Proseeding in : & of Pros-
ecuting the same voted
4 The Town Allowed six pound for Mr Emersons preach-
ing amongst us ye four last Sabbaths & Ens Amos Dorman is
hereby Impowered to draw money out of the Town Treas-
ury to pay sd Mr Emerson for sd service voted
44
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
5 Mr Nath11 Bordman Mr Benja Towne & Mr Zacheus
Gould are Chosen agents for the Town to prefer a Petition
to ve General Court at their next sessions that Mr Thomas
Robinson Mr Job Averill Mr Paul Averill Mr John Com-
mings & Mr Daniel Towne & all the Land Excluded within
the following bounds May be again Laid & Restored to ye
Town of Topsfield to which they & sd Land did formerly
belong voted
The freeholders & other of ye Town of Topsfield such as
are Quallified for voting as the Law directs are hereby Noti-
oed & warned to assemble & meet together on Tuseday ye
23 :Day of July Currant at 12 of ye Clock on sd day first to
see if ye Town will see Cause to Concur with the Church in
giving Mr John Emerson a Call to ye work of ye ministry
with us
2 To see what sallary & settlement ye Town will agree to
give to ye sd Mr Emerson for his support in ye work of ye
Ministry with us
3 To Chuse a Committe to Inform ye sd Mr Emerson of
ye Towns proceeding and to Receive his answer and to make
Return thereof to ye Town at ye next Town Meeting
4 To see if Town will Agree to Petition to ye Great and
General Court with those families that have Latly been Layd
to Middleton that they may be Returned to us again
Datd in Topsfield July ye 18th 1728 Amos Dorman
Joseph Dorman Constable Zacheus Gould
of Topsfield Nath11 Bordman
Will"1 Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Legal 1 Town Meeting in Topsfield July 123 11728
1 Dea" John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 Where as the Church did on ye 16th of July 1728 agree
to give the Reverend Mr John Emerson a Call to settle with
us in ye work of ye Ministry The Town do now Readily Con-
cur therewith voted
3 The Town agreed to give to y® Reverend Mr John Em-
erson one hundred pound in Bills of Publick Creditt or in
such other Money as shall be Commonly Passing amongst
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
45
us: for his sailary to support him in ye work of the Ministry
amongst us sd hundred pound to be paid yearly & Every year
so long as he shall Continue his Ministry amongst us, and
also the Improvement of the Parsonage land in Topsfield
during ye sd Term voted
4 The Town Agreed to give the Reverend Mr John Em-
erson Two hundred pounds in Bills of Creditt for his Encour-
agement to settle with us in ye work of the Ministry voted
Nath11 Porter Entred his Contrary dissent to ye two Last
votes above Entred
5 Mr Elisha Perkins Mr Jacob Towne & David Balch are
Chosen a Comtee (to Joyn with the Committe which ye
Church hath already Chosen) to give ye Reverend Mr John
Emerson a Call in behalf of ye Town to settle with us in ye
work of ye Ministry in Topsfield & sd Committe which ye
Town hath now Chosen are to Receive Mr Emersons Ans-
wer to sd Call and make Return thereof to the Town at ye
next Town meeting voted
6 Capt Joseph Gould & Mr Nath11 Bordman are Chosen
agents for ye Town to Prefer a petition to ye General Court
at their next sessions that Job Averill Paul Averill Daniel
Towne & John Commingswith all ye Lands Encluded within
the following bounds (may be again Laid to Topsfield to
which they & sd Lands Did formerly belong) viz Beginning
at Daniel Townes Corner Bound at Nickolses Brook & so
encluding sd Towns Land to Comminges Land & so by Com-
mingses Land to Ipswich voted
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified for Voting as ye Law Directs are
hereby Notified & warnd to Assemble & meet together in ye
Meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday the seventeenth day
of September Currant at Twelve of ye Clock on sd day
first to Receive ye Reverend Mr John Emersons Answer
to ye Town by ye Committe that was Chosen for y* Purpose
2ly To Choose a Committe to make up Accumpts with ye
sd Mr Emerson for the time past
3ly To see if ye Town will agree to state a time when ye
sd Mr Emersons yearly sallary will begin and how it shall
be paid
46
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
4ly To Choose Jurymen for Newbery Court According to
Warrant
5ly To Choose a Constable for ye south side of ye River
61y To see if ye Town will take any further Care about
Rebuilding ye pound
Dated in Topsfield September Amos Dorman
ye 12th 1728 Zacheus Gould
Joseph Dorman Constable Nath11 Bordman
of Topsfield Willm Reddington
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield September ye
1 7th 1728
1 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 The Town Agreed to Receive & accept of ye Reverend
Mr John Emersons Answer that was brought to ye Town this
day voted
3 The Town agreed that the Reverend Mr John Emer-
sons yearly sallary for his ministry amongst us shall begin
on ye second day of September Currant & ye one half of sd
yearly sallary shall be paid on or before the second day of
September next following & so yearly voted
4 Luke Averill & Samuel Bradstreet are Chosen to serve
on ye Jury of Tryalls at ye next Inferior Court to be holden
at Newbery voted
5 Samuel Curtis is Chosen Constable for this year En-
suing until the Annual Town Meeting in March Next voted
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Qualified for voting as ve Law Directs Are
hereby Notified & warnd to Assemble & meet together in ye
Meeting house in Topsfield on Thursday the 24 day of Octo-
ber Currant at Eight of ye Clock on sd day
first To see if the Town will Concur with ye Church as to
ye day Appointed for ye Ordination of ye reverend Mr John
Emerson to ye work of ministry Amongst us
2 To see what Method ye Town will take to make neces-
sary provision for ye sd Ordination and to Chuse a Committe
and Impower them to take care of sd business
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
4 7
3 To see if ye Town will Raise any money to defray Town
Charges Amos Dorman
Dated in Topsfield October ye 17th 1728 Zacheus Gould
Joseph Dorman Coustable of Topsfield Willm Reddington
Selectmen ©f Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield ye 24: 1728
1 Dean John Howlet is Chosen Moderator for this meeting
voted
2 Whereas the Church have agreed to have ye Reverend
Mr John Emerson Ordained on ye Last Wednesday of Nov-
ember Next Ensuing the Town doe now Concur therewith
voted
3 Mr Ivory Hovey Mr Zacheus Gould Mr Nath11 Bordman
Mr Amos Dorman & Mr John Willdes are Chosen a Com-
mite to Provide houses and to take Care that suitable provi-
sion be made at them for said Ordination voted
4 The Town agreed the present selectmen shall Levey a
Tax of fifty pound (besides Mr Emersons sallary) to Defray
town charges ’ voted
Mr Daniel Clark Enters his Contrary Dissent to all the
towns Votes Refering to the Ordination of ye Reverend Mr
John Emerson
Honoured and Beloved
Forasmuch as it has Pleased ye Lord Jesus Christ the glori-
ous head of the Church; whose I am and whom I desire to
serve to incline your minds to give me an Invitation to fix
among you in ye very awfull & important work of ye Minis-
try : I have since taken this great affair into serious Consider-
ation I have also advised with Reverend Elders in ye Vicinity :
and above all have Earnestly applied myself to ye wonderfull
Counsellour, that my way in this Monenteous Article may
be made Plain before my face: and now after all I find my
heart disposed to Embrace your Call ; tho at ye same time
when I consider ye Great Difficulty, the Vast Importance &
awfull Solemnity of ye work; to which you have Called me
and my own Weakness & Insufficiency, my youth, want of
Experience &c — When I Reflect upon these things I am
ready to faint & be discouraged and sigh out the words of
ye Prophet ah LORD GOD I cannot speak for I am a
48
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
childe: — and to address ye Lord in ye words of Moses O
My LORD send I pray thee by the hand of him whom
thou wilt send. But then, when I Consider ye Alsufficiency
of CHRIST who (I trust) has Called me to this work: &
who has Graciously Promised to be with his Ministers to ye
End of ye world; when I consider also your unanimity in
ye Call which you have given me; and further when I Con-
sider the Effectual fervent prayers with which (I trust) you
will wrastle with ye God of Jacob on my behalf : These
Considerations seem to Raise my sinking spirits to Ans-
wer my Objections and Constrain me to offer myself with ye
Evangelical Prophet here am I send me: — As to what you
have Offered me for my outward Support I thankfully
Accept it: And inasmuch as tis my principle (and I hope
my practice will not be inconsistent) That a Minister of ye
Gospel should not intangle Himself in ye Affairs of this Life
but give himself wholly to his Proper work and Business: I
therefore Cannot but hope that you will freely Minister as
there shall be Occasion to my Necessity & for my Comfort:
If I know my own heart tis with this special view that I De-
sire to reap of your Carnall things, that so I may attend
upon ve Business to which you have Called me without Dis-
traction; and be ye better inabled to minister unto you
Spiritual things, for I trust I can say with ye Apostle I seek
not yours but you, and am willing to spend & be spent in
your service. Aud now I beseech you brethren for ye Lord
Jesus Christs Sake and for ye Love of ye spirit that ye strive
together with me in your prayers to God for me that I
may be prepared to receive the Awfull Charge of your souls
which may in ye most solemn manner be given to me — that
I may be more & more furnished for, disposed to, Assisted
& incouraged in the great work of ye gospel ministry
Amongst you — that I may from time to time Come to you
in ye fullness of ye Blessing of the Gospel of Christ & be
made a rich & Lasting Blessing to you & yours: And that
you & your Children may be made Comforte to me here,
and a Crown of Rejoycing in that Day: when our Lord
shall Come to be Glorified in his Saints and Admired by all
them that believe
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
49
With these Earnest Desires I subscribe myself yours to
serve in ye gospell
John Emerson
This is A True Copy of Mr Emersons answer to ye Church
& Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
At a Church Meeting in Topsfield October ye 15th 1728
The Church agreed to have ye Reverend Mr John Emer-
son ordained as soon as may be Conveniently Provided he
will Consent to Rule in ye Church according to ye Platform
of Church Discipline agreed upon by the Synod Convend at
Cambridge in 1648 ’ voted
This is A True Copy of ye Churches Vote: Attest Jacob
Peabody Town Clerk
To the Church of Topsfield Gentlemen This may serve
to Certifie & assure you that in y® Government & Discipline
y1 1 shall Exercise: I shall by ye Grace of God Endeaver as
much as possible to Conform myself to ye infallible Rule of
ye word of God and also to y® Platform of our Church Dis-
cipline agreed upon by ye Synod Convend at Cambridge in
ye year 1648
as witness my hand John Emerson
This is A True Copy of Mr Emersons Answer to ye Church
in Reference to ye above written note: Attest Jacob Pea-
body Town Clerk
The above written vote of ye Church and Mr Emersons
answer to it: were Entered in this Book that they may not
be Lost; but remain to after generations.
October IIth 1728 Received of Mr Elisha Perkins & Mr
Nath11 Bordman Commite for ye Town of Topsfield : ye Sum
of thirteen pounds Ten shillings for My Preaching in sd Town
untill ye second day of Septr 1728 John Emerson 13 : 10:00
A True Copy Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk
By Vertue of a Warrant from ye Selectmen of Topsfield
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified for Voting as ye Law directs
Are hereby Notified & warnd to Assemble & meet together
in ye Meeting house in Topsfield on Wednesday ye 18th Day
of December Currant at 12 of ye Clock on said day
50
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
To see if the Town will agree to or give order for ye Rais-
ing any more money to Defray Town Charges : And to Allow
Bills of Charge: And to see if yeTown will Choose anybody
to take Care of ye widow Mary Averill &c
Datd in Topsfield December ye 11th 1728 Joseph Dorman
Constable of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield December ye
18th 1728
1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The Town Allowed Thirty Eight pounds Eight shillings
38 08 00 To the Committe that were Chosen to provide for
ye ordination of Mr Emerson namely Amos Dorman Zacheus
Gould Ivory Hovey & John Willdes; for what they have
been out for sd ordination besides there time voted
And then the Town Meeting was adjournd untill ye 24th
Day of Decemr Currant At one of clock afternoon
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield begun & held on
y® 18th of Decemr 1728 And adjorn’d untill ye 24th Day of
Decemr Currant And then Met
The Town Allowed four pound to Ens Amos Dorman for
Diating Mr Emerson sixteen weeks in th[c] summer past
voted 400
2 The Town Allowed Ten pound fourteen shillings & six
pence To Cap4 Joseph Gould for plank to Cover the Town
bridge over ye River And for gitting & Carting ye sd Plank
in ye Summer past voted 10 14 6
3 The Town Allowed thirteen shillings & Eight pence to
Stephen Johnson for mending the meeting house in November
1728 voted 00 13 8
4 The Town Allowed three shillings To Dean John How-
lett for Timber to Mend ye bridge near his house in summer
past voted 00 3 o
5 The Town Allowed two shillings to Tobijah Perkins for
a string piece to Mend ye bridge by Dean Howletts in Sum-
mer past voted 00 2 o
6 The Town Allowed six shillings & two pence to Nath11
Averill for two string pieces & Eight slabs to mend Mile
Brook bridge in 1728 voted 00 6 2
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
51
7 The Town Allowed one pound to Jacob Dorman for
keeping ye widow Mary Averill three weeks in ye Last sum-
mer past voted 01 00 Q
8 The Town allowed one pound Ten shillings to Ivory
Hovey he haveing Expended so much on ye widow Mary
Averill in her Late sickness at ye wido:Dormans 01 10 o
9 The Town Made Choice of Mr Nath11 Bordman & Mr
John Willdes to Petition to ye next sessions of the peace to
be holden at Salem for some Allowance or help towards the
Repairing ye bridge over ye River in Topsfield voted
10 Mr Eliezer Lake & Mr Thomas Dwinel are Chosen to
take Care of the widow Mary Averill voted
11 The Town Made Choice of Mr David Balch To Take
Care of the Towns Plank & other Timber which now Lyes
by ye Town bridge (so called) and to keep the same till
further order from ye town voted
The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops-
field such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law directs are
hereby Notified and warnd to Assemble & meet together in ye
meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye fourth day of
March Ensuing at Eight of ye Clock in ye morning on sd day
first To Choice Town Officers
2ly To order a highway to be Layd out to Boxford Line
Convenient for passing from Topsfield meeting house to
Boxford meeting house
3 To see how the Town will Dispose of ye interest of ye
Loan money and to accompt with ye Trustees : and to Choose
another Trustee in ye Room of En8 Amos Dorman Late
Deceased
4 To see if ye [Town] will Lay out a highway for Edmond
Towne from his house to ye town bridge
5 To see if ye Town will see cause to alter ye way that
goeth through Jacob Reddingtons Land or to see if they will
accept of ye Committees return y* was formerly Imployed
in sd service
5 To see what Improvement ye Town will Put ye money
too which is allowed us by ye Quarter sessions toward Re-
pairing our Town bridge
7 To see what ye Town will doe Concerning fencing ye
Parsonage
52
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Sly To see if ye Town will see cause to try to have some
of our Neighbours belonging to Ipswich farms to be Layd to
us, Either as to parrish or Township
9 To see if ye Town will agree to order some other Meth-
od to warn Town meetings
10 To see if ye Town will Chuse a Comtte to Discourse
with ye Reverend mr John Emerson to see if he will Preach
a Monthly Lecture to us
11 To Chuse overseers of ye Poor
12 to allow bills of Charge
Dated in Topsfield february 17th 1728-9 By order of ye
Joseph Dorman Constable Selectmen of
of Topsfield Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 4th
1728-9
first Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this
meeting voted
2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for ye year En-
suing voted
3 Joshua Towne & Richard Towne are Chosen Constables
for ye year Ensuing voted
4 Ivory Hovey is Chosen Town Treasurer for ye year En-
suing voted
5 Mr Joseph Bordman & Mr Thomas Gould are Chosen
overseers of ye Poor ye year Ensuing voted
6 Dean John Howlett, Benjamin Towne, Eliezer Lake,
David Balch & Jacob Peabody are Chosen Selectmen for ye
year Ensuing voted
7 Corp1 Joseph Towne John Prichard Jur & Daniel Red-
dington Jur are Chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing
voted
8 Mr John Hovey is Chosen Sealer of Leather for y* year
Ensuing voted
9 Jesse Dorman Aaron Estey & Jonathan Perkins are
Chosen Surveyors of highways for the year Ensuing voted
10 Cap1 Joseph Gould & Daniel Gould are Chosen field
Drivers for ye year Ensuing voted
11 Isaac Peabody & Jacob Perkins Junr are Chosen fence
viewers for the year Ensuing voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
53
12 John Towne & David Commings are Chosen Hogreeves
for ye year Ensuing voted
13 William Reddington is Chosen schoolmaster for ye year
Ensuing voted
14 The Town agreed yt ye money which ye Court allowed
towards ye repairing the Town Bridge & ye intrest of ye
Towns former Loan Money shall go to pay Town Debts
And the selectmen are hereby ordered to Receive ye sd
intrest money of ye Trustees & to Deliver the same to ye
Town Treasurer & Mr John Willdes who had order from ye
Selectmen to Receive ye money y* ye Court allowed as
aforesd & is hereby ordered to pay in ye same to ye Town
Treasurer: for ye use aforesaid voted
15 Mr Tobijah Perkins is Chosen a Trustee in ye room of
Ens Amos Dorman Desd voted
And then ye meeting was adjorn untill Tuseday ye Eleventh
Currant at Twelve of a Clock
A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield (held by adjourn-
ment) on ye 11th of March 1828-9
16 Quarter"181* Nath11 Bordman Docter Michael Dwinel &
Mr John Curtis are Chosen & Desired to go & discourse with
Ens Thomas Tarbox: Mr John Got & Mr Samuel Gott (all
of Wenham) Concerning ye way which Leads from ye Town
bridge through their Lotts to see if they will give Liberty of
a Convenient way for ye Neighbours to go through said
Lotts voted
17 Quarter"11* Nath11 Bordman Mr Eliezer Lake & Mr To-
bijah Perkins are Chosen a Committee to view ye way that
Leads through Jacob Reddingtons Land in order to turn it
Giving Notice to all parties Concernd to meet them at ye Place
& sd Committe are hereby fully Impowered to Lay out a
way as far as sd Redingtons Land goes where they in their
Judgement shall think most Convenient for ye Town & yQ
Proprietors Concernd & the Neighbours that have most need
of sd way voted
18 Mr Jacob Estey is Chosen to serve on ye Grand Jury
for ye year Ensuing voted
19 Daniel Gould & Thomas Dwinel are Chosen to serve
on ye Jury of Tryals at ye next Inferior Court to be holden
at Ipswich within & for ye County of Essex voted
54
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
20 The Town Manifested by a vote that they were willing
& desireous that our Neighbours belonging to Ipswich farms
should be Laid to Topsfield as a Township voted
21 Dea11 John Howlet Mr Nathanill & Mr William Red-
ington are Chosen a Committe to discourse our sd neigh-
bours about ye affair to see if they will Joyn with Topsfield
in Trying to be set off to us as afore sd voted
22 The Town agreed to fence in ye Parsonage Land in
Topsfield by way of a Rate And Mr Eliezer Lake is Chosen
to make up ye sd Parsonage fence by ye Last Day of May
Next Ensuing to make some wall & some Railfence as he
shall Judge Most Beneficial voted
23 Cler. Elisha Perkins Mr Ivory Hovey & Mr Jacob Es-
tey are Chosen a Committe to discourse with ye Reverend
Mr John Emerson to see if he will Please to Preach a Monthly
Lecture to us & sd Committe are to return his answer to the
Town at ye next Town meeting voted
24 The Town allowed to Thomas Dwinel one pound fifteen
shillings for keeping ye widow Mary Averil seven weeks in
ye winter past voted 01 15 o
25 The Town allowed to ye widow Deborah Dorman &
Jacob Byxbe fifteen shillings for keeping ye widow Mary
Averill six weeks in ye begining of ye winter past: they hav-
ing had thirty shillings of Serg* hovey for sd service
voted o 15 o
26 The Town Allowed to Nath11 Capen five shillings for
Cullouring the pulpit before Ordination of Mr Emerson
voted 050
27 The Town Allowed to Richard Towne Twenty shillings
for serving Schoolmaster ye Last year voted 100
All the Town officers yt were Chosen for ye year Ensu-
ing of whom an oath is by Law Required were all sworn
before ye selectmen on ye 4th & on ye 1 1 day of March 1728-
9 Entered by order of ye selectmen: Jacob Peabody Town
Clerk
At the above said Town meeting March IIth 1728 9 Nath-
aniel Averill Junr & Eliezer Lake are Chosen to finde the
bounds & straiten ye Lines of ye parsonage Land in Tops-
field in order to fence it as above said voted
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
55
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of
Topsfield such as are Quallified according to Law for vot-
ing are hereby Warned & Notified to Assemble and meet
together at the Meeting house in Topsfield :on Tuseday the
first day of April next Ensuing the date hereof at one of ye
Clock afternoon on sd Day
1 To see if the Town will do anything to mend up any
seats that are broken down in the meeting house
2 to give Liberty for swine to go at Large as the Law
directs
3 to allow bills of Charge
Benja Towne
by order of
the selectmen
of Topsfid
At A Lawfull Towne Meeting in Topsfield Aprilhi 11729
1 Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 The Towne Agreed that ye seats yt were broken in ye
meeting house at ye ordination of Mr Emerson should be
Repaired at ye Towns Cost voted
3 The Towne Made Choice of Stephen Johnson to repair
sd seats voted
The Town gave Liberty for swine to go at Large accord-
ing as ye Law gives Liberty voted
4 The Town agreed that the Present selectmen should
Cast up Mr Zacheus Goulds Rates yt were Committed to
him as Constable viz the Country and Town Rates to see if
they are short of what they are Called voted
5 The Town allowed one pound seven shillings to Jona-
than Wildes for keeping the Meeting house ye Last year ye
year Ending Last March meeting voted 01 07 Oo
6 The Town allowed to John Willdes Two pounds & six
pence for going to Court to git some allowance towards ye
Repairing the Town bridge voted 206
7 the Town Allowed to John Willdes five shillings & six
pence for Joseph Kimballs Rates he being gone out of Town
voted 036
8 The Town allowed to Quarter mr Nath11 Bordman one
Dated Topsfield March ye 22 1728-9
Joshua Towne Constable
56
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
pound five shillings for giting some help at Court toward
repairing the Town Bridge voted i 5 0
9 The Town Allowed to Benja Towne one shilling he
having paid so much for Entering ye Warning of Rebeckah
Thorp out of Town on ye Court Record voted o I o
The freeholders and other Inhabitance of the Town of
Topsfield duly Quallified by Law for voting: are warned and
notified to Meet together at ye Meeting house in Topsfield
on Wednesday ye seventh Currant at Eight of ye Clock in ye
morning: To Chuse a Representative to serve at the General
Court: and to Chuse a Committee to Reckon with mr Na-
thaniel Porter our former Town Treasurer: and to Choose a
Committe to Repair our meeting house: and To see whether
the Town will give Liberty for Mr3 Mary Baker to hang
gates ACrose the way that Goeth allong by her house: And
to see if the Town will finde a pew for ye Reverend Mr Em-
erson: And to Receive the Committies Return that was
Chosen to discourse with Ipswich farmers and to act upon
it: and to order ye interest of Towns Last Loan money ac-
cording to ye act: and to Allow bills of Charge
John Howlett
Dated Topsfield May i: 1729 Eliezer Lake
Joshua Towne Constable Dauld Balch
of Topsfield Benja Towne
Jacob Peabody
Selectmen of Topsfield
At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 7th 1729
1 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meet-
ing voted
2 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative for yeyear
Ensuing voted
3 The Town Agreed that ye Present Selectmen or ye Ma-
jor part of them shall Reckon with Mr Nath11 Porter our for-
mer Town Treasurer voted
4 Mr Ivory Hovey & Cap1 Joseph Gould are Chosen a Com-
mitte to discourse with MrgCapen to see if she would be
willing that ye Ministers Wife should sit with her in ye pew
that she now sits in till the Town shall see Cause to provide
otherwise voted
{To be continued .)
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH AND SOME
OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
1 William Averill is supposed to have migrated
from Broadway, Worcestershire, England, and is probably
the ancestor of almost the entire family in this country.
He was living at Ipswich, Mass., as early as Mar. 2, 1637,
when he was granted six acres of planting ground on the
further side of Muddy river. In 1638 he owned a house
lot near where the County House is to-day. He was made
a commoner in 1641. His will, dated July 3, 1652, and
proved in court at Ipswich, Mar. 29, 1653, reads as fol-
lows : —
“ I William Auerill of Ipswich being weake in bodye
but of pfect memorye doe make this my last will and
testament first I doe bequeath my body to the earth to
be deasently buryed in the Burying place of Ipswich my
spirit into the hands of my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.
And for my outward estate being but small I doe giue
vnto my children each of them being seuen in number the
some of fiue shillings a peece & the rest of my estate my
debts being discharged I giue vnto Abagal my wife whom
I make sole execotrix of this my last will in witness
heerof I haue heervnto sett my hand and seale the 3th
of the 4th mo : 1652.
“ Andrew hodges, Will
Renold ffoster. Aveirell.”
“ Inventory of the estate of William Averill, filed 29
Mar., 1653.
It. hous: Lott & house
It. 10 acres of vpland ground & 6 A» meddo
It. 2 Kine & 2 two-yer: old
It. 2 shoats
10—00—00
10^-00—00
16—00—00
01—00—00
(57)
58
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
It.
1 Iron pott — 1 brass pott — 1 frying pan — 4 pewtr
plattra — 1 flagon — 1 Iron Ketle — 1 brass Ketle —
1 Copp, 1 brass pan & some othr small things
02-17-00
It.
2 Chests— 1 fethr bed — 1 othr bed — 2 payre of sheets
— 2 bolster — 3 pillows — 2 blanketts — 1 Covlid —
1 bedstead — & othr smal linnen
05—10—00
It.
2 Coats & wearing appel
03—00—00
It.
1 warming pan
00—03—00
It.
A tub 2 pails a few books
00—10—00
A Corslett
01—00—00
“ what shee oweth
Reginold fostr
12—00—00
Andrew Hodgs Apprisers.
n
His widow, Abigail, died at Ipswich shortly before Mar .
27, 1655, when the inventory of her estate was returned
to court by her son William, in which is mentioned “ the
pequitt lot of 7 acres.”
Children :
2 William.
Sarah, probably his daughter, m. Nov. 23, 1663, John Wildes of
Topsfield. She was executed as a witch on July 19, 1692.
Thomas, probably his son, m. Dec. 8, 1657, Frances Collings, at
Ipswich. He was living in Topsfield, 1683-1668, and had a
daughter Sarah, born there Mar. 23, 1666-7.
John, probably his son, was living in Ipswich, 1654-1656.
A child, living in 1652.
A child, living in 1652.
A child, living in 1652.
2 William Averill was a carpenter and lived in
Ipswich until February, 1663 (he was a surveyor of high-
ways at Ipswich in 1661), when he bought of Daniel
Clark of Topsfield, a house and other outbuildings, together
with one hundred acres of land in the eastern part of
Topsfield. A depression marking the former location of
the cellar of his house may yet be seen on the left-hand
side of the road leading from “ Springville ” towards
“ Mile Brook bridge,” just beyond the Wildes-Perley
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
59
house. This road was laid out from William Averill’s
house to what is now “ Springville,” on Mar. 19, 1666-7.
Many of his descendants settled near him, and in after
years an Averill neighborhood not far away became
known as “ The Colleges,” from the fact, as the story
goes, that the Averills at that time were some of the most
intelligent people in the town, being prominent in town
affairs and holding public office. They were cabinet-
makers and subscribed to one of the three copies of a
newspaper that came into the town. William Averill was
selectman in 1688, and tithing man in 1682. He mar-
ried, July 31, 1661, Hannah Jackson of Ipswich, who
survived him and was living in Connecticut about 1735.
He died April 23, 1691. His will, proved June 30, 1691,
follows : —
“ The last will and testament of william averell, of
Topsfield, senr in the County of Essex in New England.
I being weake in body but through gods goodness, yet
of Competent understanding and memory, I Commit my
body to the dust when god shall take me hence, and my
Spirits unto the hands of almighty god and my most mer-
cifull redeemer. And my outward estate as followeth,
I doe will unto my Eleven children the sume of six pound
a piece for the present to be pd as they are or shall come
to age in such specia of moveabls as the estate consists in,
not to be prised as money but as upon pay acct. And
this rule to be atteaded in all other payments hereafter to
be mentioned. The remainder of my estate viz. my lands
& housing stock & houshold goods moveables and Imove-
ables, my will is to Leave it with my deare and Loveing
wife, to be improved for the mutual releiff, and comfort
both of herself & family I shall leave with her, or so
many of them whose hearts god shall enclyne to live to-
gether with their deare mother as brethren in peace Love
and unity And to be mutually helpfull in improveing the
Land and stock for their own & each others Lyvlihood
that they may by keeping neare together be helpfull to
each other in an hour of danger. My will is that if my
present dwelling house shall continue in being untill after
my wives decease, And also that my sone John and my
60
WILLIAM AYERILL OF IPSWICH
sone Nathaniel shall be then liveing that they shall have
each of them Ten pounds out of the value of the house
before any division be made or if either of you shall sur-
vive and not the other then his ten pound shall be his due.
“ If they shall both dye before their mother Then this
to be void & of non effect. My will is that after my
wives decease my lands & houseing shall with the rest of
my estate that shall then be in being be equally divided
amongst my children that shall be then Liveing, the lands
& houseing to belong equally unto my sonns. Yet soe as
they shall not make Sale or conveyance unto any stranger
of yr proportion, before they have proferred the same to
such of yr brethren as may be willing to buy the same,
who shall have one full years Liberty to purchase or re-
fuse.
“ If any shall doe contraire hereunto he shall forfault
his entrest in his share of land and houseing nor shall he
hold his proportion at a higher price to his brethren than
the same will yeild to a stranger. It. my will is that if
the land shall fall short in value that my sones have not
yr due in value. What shall be wanting shall be made up
out of the stock & moveables. And the like be done if
stock & movables fall short. The heires of the Lands &
houseing to pay every one his part. My will is that my
sone Nathaniel! may use the shop tooles not to make any
strip nor waste or to deprive the family of the benefit of
such as they shall have occasion for, while they shall con-
tinue together. I doe hereby give to my wife full power
to determine what kynd of houshold goods shall belong
to each of our daughters. And also to impart as there
may be need either to sones or daughters what may be
conveniently spared keeping a true acct. thereof, not ex-
ceeding what will be their proportion at the Last division.
And what they shall so receive shall be accounted unto
them as part of their last proportion out of my estate.
(I doe not intend here the first six pounds mentioned in
the former part of these Lynes.) I doe also give Liberty
to my wife to allow reasonable recompense to such of our
children though not yet come to age as shall approve
themselves dilligent, faithfull and constant in improve ing
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS
61
and & stock for the good of the family after they come
to full age which shall be taken out of the estate or in-
come thereof as a due debt before division be made.
“ I doe further hereby make my deare & Loveing wife
my full and sole executive unto this my last will and tes-
tament during the terme of her widowhood. If she shall
see cause to change her condition then my will is that she
shall take two of her sones whom she shall judge to be
best able and most faithfull to Joyne with her in executor-
ship, to the end that no stranger nor sone of a stranger
may be admitted into so small a Liveing to the wrong of
the propper heires or any of them.
“Lastly my will is that any of my sones as they may be
able may and will be helpfull unto their dear mother in
what difficulties she may meet withall, and yfc they live at
peace among themselves. And you will have ye promise
that the god of peace will be with you.
“ For consideration hereof I have hereunto set my hand
dated the 15 day of April, 1690.
William Auerell.
“ As witnesses
John Wills
The marke of
Sarah 08 Wild.”
Children, all born in Topsfield except the first :
3 William, b. May 1, 1662.
4 Nathaniel, b. Oct. 13, 1664.
5 John, b. Jan. 1, 1666.
6 Job, b. Jan. 1, 1666-7.
Hannah, b. Dec. 18, 1667; d. unm. May 14, 1737.
7 Ebenezer, b. Oct. 14, 1669.
Isaac, b. Jan. 26, 1671-2; d. June 11, 1680, in Topsfield.
Thomas, b. Dec. 9, 1672; probably m. Nov. 29, 1712, Abigail
Cogswell, in Ipswich; acknowledged a deed in Preston,
Conn., May 30, 1724.
Abigail, b. March 8, 1673-4; m., (pub. July 9, 1699) Jonathan
Bishop of Beverly. Lived in Beverly until about 1708, when
they removed to Rehoboth, where he died in 1752. They
acknowledged a deed in Norton, Bristol county, June 2,
1721.
62
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
Ezekiel, b. July 24, 1675; probably d. young.
8 Paul, b. June 21, 1677.
Silas, b. May 1, 1679; probably d. young.
9 Isaac, b. Nov. 10, 1680.
Mart, bapt. May 16, 1697 ; m. Feb. 16, 1709-10, Silas Titus of
Rehoboth. They acknowledged a deed in Norton, June 2,
1724.
3 William Averill, born in Ipswich, May 1, 1662.
Lived in Topsfield, and married Mary . “ Widow
Mary Averill died March 14, 1728-9.” — Topsfield Records .
He was admitted to membership in the church, May 24,
1685, and Mar. 11, 1688, was disciplined for intemperance
and unseemly behavior in Mr. Wise’s church at Ipswich.
March 1, 1714/1 5, the selectmen of Topsfield, agreed with
William Averill, jun., to sweep the meeting-house and dig
graves, for which service he was to be paid 18 shillings
a year and to have the use of half an acre of land “ some
where near among the Hills to ye Norwest of ye Meeting
House,” during the lifetime of himself and wife. He was
also given “ the benefite of ye frute of ye parsonage or-
chard till the Town have occasion for it.”
Children, baptized in Topsfield :
Elizabeth, bapt. April 7, 1695.
Joseph, bapt. March 21, 1696-7.*
Mary (?) whom. July 9, 1719, at Ipswich, Caleb Jackson of
Ashford. The m. is recorded at Topsfield and Ipswich.
Stephen, bapt. June 6, 1701. He probably removed to Arundel,
Me., with his brother Joseph, where he married and had:
Phebe, Rebecca, Sarah and Samuel.
James, bapt. April 11, 1703.
Rebecka, bapt. July 15, 1705.
Jabez, bapt. June 15, 1707 ; m. Mary Buxton, and settled in
Preston, Conn.
Moses, bapt. Feb. 26, 1709-10.
4 Nathaniel Averill, born in Topsfield, Oct. 18,
1664. He was a carpenter and millwright, and lived in
*1723-4. Benjamin Kimball and Joseph Averill are in the military service.—
Felt's History of Ipswich. He probably was living at Arundel, now Kennebunk,
Me., in 1728, a joint-owner, with Jacob Wildes, of 450 acres of land, and a saw-
mill. There he m. Jane McLellen and had 11 children, 7 of whom died with the
throat distemper in 1735. He may have had a brother Samuel, who also lived at
Arundel and was cast away on Mount Desert in 1747 and drowned.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
63
Topsfield, where he owned a sawmill. Constable in 1702.
He married, first, Dec. 13, 1698, Sarah Howlett. She
died July 11, 1729, and he married, second, June 17,
1730, Lydia French. She died May 31, 1746, and he died
April 3,' 1751.
Children, born in Topsfield :
10 Nathaniel, b. Sept. 6, 1700.
11 Jacob, b. Aug. 17, 1702.
Abigail, b. Aug. 9, 1704 (bapt. July 16, 1704); m. Dec. 19, 1734,
Joseph Hovey ; and was living in 1741.
Sarah, b. Feb. 9, 1706; d. unm. Dec. 26, 1784.
Miriam, b. July 9, 1709 ; m. Sept. 17, 1734, Joseph Neland of
Topsfield ; and was living in 1741.
Daniel, bapt. Sept. 16, 1711; d. March 6, 1716-17.
Jeremiah, b. July 21, 1714; shopjoiner and yeoman ; lived in
Topsfield ; tithingman in 1751; constable, 1759; selectman,
1762-1769; treasurer, 1776-1781; he inherited his father’s
dwelling house, his sister Sarah to have the west chamber
so long as she remained unm., which was 33 y. after the
probating of the will ; d. unm. Sept. 7, 1785.
5 John Averill, born in Topsfield, Jan. 1, 1666,
was a yeoman and lived in Topsfield. He was known as
“ Sarg1” in 1701, where he was appointed tithingman and
was constable in 1711. On Feb. 1, 1692, he and his broth-
er Nathaniel, bought of Gov. Simon Bradstreet, 200 acres
of land lying between Howlett brook and Mile brook, the
locality that afterwards became known as “ The Colleges.”
The original deed is still in existance. April 7, 1735 his
four children, then under age, were placed under the guar-
dianship of John Wildes. Administration was granted on
his estate Apr. 13, 1724, to widow “Anna.” He married
June 8, 1710, Anne* Greensleet (Greenleaf) of Topsfield
and died in the winter of 1719-20. His widow was living
in Topsfield in 1741, and may have removed to Andover
that year.
•In the records of births of her children, the name is recorded “ Hannah” and
in a record of baptism it is given as “ Ann.”
64
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
Children, born in Topsfield :
12 John, b. April 24, 1711.
Thomas, b. Dec. 17, 1713 ; husbandman ; lived in Topsfield un-
til his marriage, when he removed to Andover; m. May 20,
1739, Sarah Neland (Kneeland) of Ipswich and had: (1)
John, bp. Oct. 25, 1741; (2) Thomas, bp. Sept. 27, 1747 ; (3)
Sarah, bp. Nov. 3, 1751.
Emma, bp. May-Aug., 1715; m. Samuel Phippen, Sept. 7, 1738.
Katherine, bp. Apr. — , 1717; m. Dec. 22, 1736, Nathaniel
Moulton of Ipswich.
13 Ebenezer, bapt. Oct. 1-, 1718.
Abial (dau.), bp. May — , 1720; posthumous; d. Aug. 1, 1786.
6 Job Averill, born in Topsfield, Jan. 1, 1666-7,
was a yeoman, and lived in that part of Topsfield that
was incorporated as Middleton in 1728. Was tithingman
in 1708. He married Feb. 1, 1702-8, Susanna Brown of
Topsfield, and died in 1780 ; his will, dated Feb. 7, 1729-
80, was proved June 1, 1780. Administration was granted
on her estate Dec. 16, 1782.
Children, born in Topsfield:
Job, b. Aug. 11, 1707; husbandman ; removed from Middleton
to Arundel, York county, Me., in 1734; was of Arundel in
1737, and of Sheepscot, York county, gentleman, in 1742;
m. Sarah before 1737. Had: William and Sarah both
bapt. Aug. 14, 1748, at Middleton.
Judith, b. May 4, 1710; m. Apr. 20, 1732, Samuel Foster.
14 Israel, b. April 21, 1113.
Kezia, b. May 6, 1715 ; m. June 27, 1754, Jonathan Whipple of
Danvers.
15 Samuel, b. June 7, 1720.
Susanna, bapt. Sept. — , 1722; d. Dec. 26, 1736.
Ezekiel, b. in 1724. On Feb. 26, 1739, at the age of fourteen,
he was placed under the guardianship of Francis Peabody
of Middleton.
7 Ebenezer Averill, born in Topsfield, Oct. 14>
1669, was a husbandman and lived in Topsfield; was con-
stable in 1701 and selectman in 1704, 1705, 1707, 1708,
1710, 1718, 1715 and 1716. He married, first, Nov. 80,
1697, Susanna Hovey. She died Nov. 11, 1699, and he
married, second, Dec. 31, 1700, Mehitable Foster of
Ipswich. He died Dec. 22, 1717, and his wife, Mehitable
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
65
died Nov. 19, 1T40. In the record of his death he is styled
“ Sargr\ His inventory states that some of the things
were reserved for “ Luke the sunn of Susannah his first
wife that came from Engld.”
Children, born in Topsfield :
Susannah, d. Nov. 11, 1699.
16 Luke, b. Aug. 2, 1699.
Mehitable, b. Apr. 26, 170—; bapt. May 2, 1703; m. April 12,
1726, Matthew Peabody, and d. June 6, 1740.
Susannah, b. July 22, 170-; bapt. July 23, 1704; d. in Topsfield,
unm. Sept. 2, 1749.
Ruth, b. June 9, 1706; d. unm. before 1729.
Hannah, b. Feb. 13, 1707-8; m. John Howlett of Ipswich, July
18, 1728 and was his widow in 1749.
Mary, b. Aug. 15, 1710; m. Feb. 24, 1729-30, Nathaniel Porter
and d. Dec. 23, 1736.
Lydia, b. Dec. 11, 1712; m. July 28, 1731, Daniel Gould of Tops-
field, husbandman, and d. Dec. 22, 1739.
Jemima, b. Apr. 25, 1715; m. Feb. 14, 1737-8, John Perkins, jr. ,
and d. March 2, 1749.
Phebe, b. Nov. 23, 1717; m. 1st, Nov. 13, 1753, Isaac Dodge of
Wenham ; m. 2nd, Brown.
8 Paul Averill, born in Topsfield, June 21, 16T7,
was a husbandman, and lived in that part of Topsfield
incorporated as Middleton in 1728. He married, first,
Mar. 27, 1706, Sarah, daughter of Capt. Joseph and Sarah
(Perley) Andrews. She died Oct. 16, 1782, aged forty-
seven, and he married, second, Feb. 8, 1736-7, widow
Mary Simonds of Wenham. They were living in Middle-
ton in 1747, and were dismissed Aug. 5, 1753, to the
church in Killingly, Conn.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Ezekiel, b. March 13, 1707-8.
Hephsibah, b. Nov. 8, 1709 ; m. Dec. 13, 1733, Robert Bradford.
17 Paul, b. Dec. 16, 1711.
Sarah, b. April 2, 1713 ; d. unm. in Middleton, Jan. 20, 1736.
Joseph, b. Jan. 17, 1719-20 ; m. Feb. 14, 1743-4, Mary Symonds
of Topsfield. He was then of Killingly. A Joseph Symonds
m. Sarah Mansfield, Dec. 24, 1745, at Middleton, and had
Dudley, bp. , 1746. Joseph Averill, housewright, of
Uxbridge in 1741, is mentioned in Essex Co. Deeds.
66
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
9 Isaac Averill, born in Topsfield, Nov. 10, 1680,
married, May 16, 1709, in Rehoboth, Mass., Esther,
daughter of Philip Walker, jr., of that town. Isaac Aver-
ill was “ an ingenious Carpenter,” and framed in Provi-
dence, R. I., the largest meeting house of his time. As a
resident of Preston, Conn., he acknowledged a deed on
May 80, 1724, and for many years lived in that town.
Before 1748 he removed to Kent, Conn.
Children, all born in Preston, Conn. :
Samuel, b. — , 1715 ; m. Patience Perry at Rehoboth, Mass
He purchased of the Indians on July 20, 1749, land in Wash-
ington, Conn., where he lived and d. April 30, 1786, at 71
years.
Daniel, b. , 1716; d. Oct. 23, 1785, in New Preston ; m.
Lucy, dau. of Edward Cogswell of Ipswich. Lived at New
Preston. Miller and public man.
Moses, b. , 1723-4 ; d. Jan. 22, 1784, in New Preston; m.
Martha, dau. of Edward Cogswell of Ipswich. Lived in
what is now Washington, Conn. Captain in the militia,
deacon in the church and representative in the legislature.
Lucy.
Judith, b. ; d. May 18, 1774, in New Preston.
10 Capt. Nathaniel Averill, born in Topsfield,
Sept. 6, 1700, was a house wright, and lived in Topsfield.
Selectman in 1747, 1748. He married, Nov. 24, 1743,
Hannah Wildes, and died Aug. 17, 1781. She died June
4, 1785, aged seventy-five. At the probating of his will
he was styled “ gentlemen.” After his wife’s decease his
books were to be divided equally among his two children.
Estate inventoried =£458.14.10 and included surveying
instruments, 86/.
Children, born in Topsfield:
18 Nathaniel, b. April 27, 1747.
Hannah, b. Aug. 17, 1750 ; m. Nov. 18, 1773, John Lovering, 3d,
of Ipswich, husbandman; they were living in Ipswich in
1787.
11 Jacob Averill, born in Topsfield, Aug. 17, 1702,
was a yeoman and lived in Topsfield. He was a tithing-
man in 1736, 1742, and 1757 ; constable in 1746 ; and
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
67
selectman from 1752 to 1755. He married Priscilla,
daughter of Ephraim and Mary Wildes, and died June 15
(June 14, church rds.), 1791. By his will he bequeathed
to his sons Daniel and Amos, his carpenter’s tools “ where-
soever they may be found.” His wife died May 17
(May 22, church rds.), 1799, aged 94 years.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Jacob, b. Mar. 18, 1728-9; cabinet-maker and joiner; lived in
Topsfield; m. Nov. 23, 1752, Hannah Bryant. He d. Sept.
14, 1807 and she d. Feb. 24, 1813. “ Joanna, the widow of
Jacob, struck with numb palsey in the summer of 1785, and
remained dead on one side till she died.”
19 Daniel, b. Dec. 3, 1730.
Dorothy, b. Feb. 24, 1731-2; m. Nov. 8, 1752, David Prichard.
He died in 1756, in the French and Indian War, and in her
father’s will, dated May 30, 1791, she was given the right
to occupy “ the west chamber . . . till she is otherwise
provided for.” She d. Jan. 30, 1822.
Lydia, b. July 2, 1735; m. Jan. 15, 1767, Richard Potter, jr., of
Ipswich.
Mary, b. Aug. 1, 1739; d. unm., Oct. 5, 1826, at the almshouse.
Priscilla, b. July 1, 1742; d. March 29, 1781.
Amos, b. March 25, 1747; yeoman; lived in Topsfield ; soldier in
the Revolution, marching to Lexington and also seeing
other service; m. Nov. 6, 1774, Lydia Batchelder of Wen-
ham and d. suddenly April 11. 1805. She d. Mar. 20, 1831,
at the almshouse.
12 John Averill, born in Topsfield, April 24, 1711,
was a husbandman, and lived in Topsfield until about
1740, when he removed to Groton, Mass. In 1751, he
again removed to Westminster, Vt., where he died, Sept. 2,
1797. He married, May 7, 1735, Mary Phippen. She
died in Westminster, Vt., in 1809, “in the 95th year of
her age.”
Children :
Mary, bapt. March 14, 1735-6, Topsfield; m. Rockwood.
Abial, bapt. Nov. 26, 1738, Topsfield; m. John Abby.
Asa, b. , 1739 ; m. 1st, Anna Chaffee; m. 2nd, the widow of
Peter Lovejoy; m. 3rd, Nall.
Thomas, b. , 1745 ; m. Nov. 3, 1774, Elizabeth Robinson.
68
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
Samuel, b. , 1746 (?); m. 1st, Molly Barnes; m. 2nd, the
widow Washburn.
John, b. , 1748; m. Olive Estabrook.
Anna, b. , 1751 ; m. Peter Lovejoy. She was the first white
child, born in Westminster, Vt.
Amy, m. Robert Rand.
Olive, m. William Martin.
13 Ebenezer Averill, baptized in Topsfield, Oct.
1-, 1718, was a husbandman, and lived in Topsfield until
about 1760 when he removed to Amherst, N. H., where
he was living in 1771. He married, April 5, 1748 ; Mary
Towne and she was his wife in 1771.
Children, baptized in Topsfield :
Ruth, bapt. Jan. 1, 1748-9.
Ebenezer, bapt. Dec. 22, 1751; lived in Amherst; pub. Oct. 3,
1775, to Anna Johnson of Danvers.
David, bapt. April 13, 1755.
Elijah, bapt. May 29, 1757.
14 Israel Averill, born in Topsfield, April 21, 1713,
married in Middleton, June 11, 1735, Mary Kenney. He
was a husbandman and lived in Middleton until about
1752, when he removed to Topsfield and was taxed there
until 1759. An Israel Averil of Pownalborough, Me.,
yeoman, and wife Mary, sold land in Manchester, Mass.,
in 1767. — Essex Co. Deeds.
Children :
Huldah, bapt. , 1736, in Middleton.
Mary, bapt. , 1739, in Middleton ; m. April 18, 1759, Ar-
chelaus Kenney.
Susanna, bp. , 1742, in Middleton.
Enoch, bp. , 1744, in Middleton; m. Ruth Hilton of Pownal-
borough, Me.
David, bp. , 1747, in Middleton; m. Elizabeth Hilton, sister
of the above.
Ruth, bapt. Dec. 17, 1749, in Middleton; m. in Pownalborough,
Me.
Eunice, bapt. Feb. 25, 1753, in Topsfield.
Israel, bapt. June 13, 1756, in Topsfield.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
69
15 Samuel Averill, born in Topsfield, June 7, 1720,
was a blacksmith and lived in Middleton. He married,
Sept. 3, 1742, Martha Clemens of Salem, and died about
1756, administration being granted on his estate, Jan. 17,
1757. She survived him, and married, secondly, Nov. 27,
1764, Michael Dwinnell of Topsfield. He died Sept. 19,
1770, and she married, third, April 4, 1774, Samuel Car-
tor of Manchester.
Children, born in Middleton:
Susanna, b. Aug. 8, 1743.
Elizabeth, b. April — , 1745; probably m. Feb. 20, 1766, John
Nichols of Middleton.
20 Benjamin, b. Jan., 1747.
Ezekiel, b. Feb. 14, 1748.
Samuel, b. March 18, 1749. In 1765, he is named as a beneficiary
in the will of David Balch and is mentioned as a “minor who
lived with me.” A short time before the making of the
will his mother had m. 2d, Michael Dwinell, a cousin of
David Balch’s wife.
Lucy, b. Dec. 18, 1752; m. May 7, 1772, Abijah Wilkins. They
removed to Amherst, N. H., where she d. before Sept. 30,
1788, when he m. 2nd, Sarah Farmer, of Manchester.
Abiga.il, b. Dec. 10, 1754; d. Sept. 21, 1851, in Beverly; m. 1st,
May 30, 1790, Samuel Carter; m. 2nd, William Tarbell.
16 Luke Averill, born in Topsfield, Aug. 2, 1699,
was a yeoman, and lived in Topsfield. Constable in
1730 ; tithingman, 1739, 1756, 1760, 1765, 1769 ; member
of school committee in 1751, ^as mentioned on the town
records in 1756, as “ Lieut.” Luke Averill. In his will he
gives to his widow, “half of the dwelling house from
cellar to top,” and annually, as long as she remains his
widow, the following : — 8 cords firewood, ready for the
fire; 120 weight pork; 50 weight beef; 3 pecks salt; 1
bushel turnips ; 1 bushel potatoes ; 1-2 bushel beans ; 8
bushels Indian corn ; 2 bushels rye ; 1 bushel winter
apples ; 8 lbs. sheep’s wool ; 15 lb. flax ; 1 barrell “ cyder
1 1-2 bushels malt ; a small garden ; two cows to be well
kept summer and winter ; use of horse to ride to meeting
and elsewhere ; 2 gals, molasses ; 2 gals, rum, and cost
and charge of doctor and nurse in case of sickness. At
70
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH.
the probating of his will he is styled “ gentleman.” He
married Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Peabody ; and
died April 16, 1776. She died May 22, 1790, ae. 84 y.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Ruth, b. Feb. 18, 1727-8; d. Jan. 16, 1747-8.
Mart, b. July 14, 1730 ; d. May 1, 1737.
Moses, b. Jan. 25, 1732-3; d. May 3, 1737.
Ebenezer, b. Jan. 18, 1735-6. (Eleaser, a youth, s. Luke, d. June
8, 1747.)
Moses, b. Aug. 12, 1738; d. July 7, 1739.
21 Isaac, b. June 2, 1740.
Elijah, b. March 14, 1742-3; d. Feb. 4, 1747-8.
Susannah, b. Aug. 14, 1746; m. March 31, 1772, David Towne,
jr. ; and d. Oct. 24, 1886.
17 Paul Averill, born in Topsfield, Dec. 16, 1711,
was a husbandman, and lived in Middleton. He married
April 21, 1737,* Zeruiah How, and died in the winter of
1805-6, his will, dated Dec. 9, 1796, being proved Feb. 3,
1806.
Children, born in Middleton :
Sarah, b. July 26, 1738; d. Jan. 20, 1739-40.
John, b. Jan. 2, 1740; m. Mary Bradford; b. 1742 in Middleton
and d. Aug. 21, 1815; he d. May 21, 1815. Settled in Am-
herst, N. H. in 1763. Children : Naomi; Daniel; Mary, m.
Benjamin Symonds; Anna, m. McAllister; John;
Jesse, m. and had John, who m. Clarissa Peabody of Mid-
dleton, and had one son, Nathaniel P. who d. Mar. 17, 1877
in Middleton.
22 Paul, b. Sept. 27, 1742.
23 Elijah, b. April 28, 1745.
24 Mark, b. May 12, 1747.
Sarah, b. July 28, 1750; m. Daniel Stiles, Sept. 25, 1771; d.
Sept. 20, 1805, in Middleton.
Mary, b. May 11, 1752; m. Feb. 14, 1771, Stephen Towne, jr.
and removed to Sunderland, Vt. in 1786.
25 Joseph, b. Oct. 6, 1757.
18 Nathaniel Averill, born in Topsfield, April 27,
1747, was a yeoman and wheelwright, and lived in Tops-
field. Soldier in the Revolution, marching to Lexington.
*He may have married, 1st, Feb. 3, 1736, at Wenham, Mary Symonds of Wen-
ham.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
71
Selectmen in 1780-1784. He married, first, Dec. 16, 1766,
Dorothy Perkins. She died May 6, 1767 “ in her 18th
year,” and he married, second, Oct. 1, 1776, Hannah,
daughter of Ephraim and Hepsibah Wildes. He died
May 17, 1811, and his wife Hannah, survived him, dying
Oct. 28, 1816, aged sixty-seven.
Children, born in Topsfield :
26 Nathaniel Perkins, b. May 1, 1767.
27 Azariah, b. Feb. 11, 1778.
Ammi, b. Aug. 17, 1779; lived in Topsfield; yeoman; and d.,
unm. April 18, 1822. By will dated July 15, 1816, he be-
queathed his entire estate to “ Mehitable, the present wife
of my brother Moses.”
Lydia, b. March 3, 1782; d. Nov. 27, 1859; m. Sept. 25, 1806,
Ebenezer Towne of Topsfield.
Dorothy, bapt. April 2, 1784 ; m. Feb. 24, 1818, Abraham Gage.
Lived in Middleton, where she d. June 5, 1861.
28 Moses, b. June 5, 1786.
19 Daniel Averill, born in Topsfield, Dec. 3, 1730,
was a yeoman, and lived in Topsfield He married Jo-
anna Hood, Feb. 27, 1759 ; and died March 4, 1801. She
died Dec. 12, 1816, “occasioned by falling into the fire.”
Children, born in Topsfield :
Sarah, b. June 20, 1760; d. unm. Feb. 8, 1839, of cancer.
29 Daniel, b. June 12, 1762.
Solomon, b. Sept. 1, 1765; d. April 1, 1766.
Joanna, b. March 7, 1767; probably m. Nov. 23, 1786, Thomas
Willis (Wildes?). When her father made his will in 1800
she is mentioned as the wife of “ Shays.”
30 Solomon, b. Aug. 20, 1769.
Mehitable, b. Aug. 16, 1774; m. Nov. 15, 1793, Silas Beckford,
and d. Sept. 1, 1845.
20 Benjamin Averill* born in Middleton, Jan. 17,
1747, married, 1st, in Ipswich, Nov. 9, 1769, Sarah Blye,
she died and he married, 2nd (int. Dec. 21, 1772), Mrs.
Mary, widow of John Pitman, and daughter of Dr. Francis
and Mary Holmes. By trade a “ Leather Breeches
maker.” ’He was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting in
*1778, John Chapman, glover, was succeeded by his apprentices, P. Rust and
B. Averill.— Felt's History of Ipswich.
72
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
1780 for 6 months. He was 5 ft. 7 in. tall and of a light
complexion. He lived in Ipswich and died about 1782.
Children by first wife :
31 Benjamin, b. Oct. 9, 1770, in Middleton (baptized Dec. 16,
1770 in Ipswich).
Francis Holmes. His name was afterwards changed to
Francis Holmes. Lived in Boston. Married; had 4
children.
Child by second wife :
Peggy, bp. Nov. 18, 1781, in Ipswich.
21 Lieut. Isaac Averill, born in Topsfield, June 2,
1740, was a carpenter and lived in Topsfield. In the inven-
tory of his estate were surveying instruments, buildings
and 160 ac. of land and a pew in the meeting house, $100.
Constable in 1771 ; selectman, 1778, 1779, 1790-1792,
1794, 1795. He was styled “Lieut.” in 1791. Soldier
in the Revolution, marching to Lexington. He married
Dec. 22, 1761, Priscilla Peabody ; and died June 28, 1816.
She died Feb. 4, 1815, ae. 71 years.
Children, born in Topsfield :
32 Elijah, b Dec. 21, 1762.
Joseph, b. Oct. 28, 1764; m. Dec. 24, 1801, Eunice, dau. John
and Anna Lamson. She d. Apr. 8, 1850 aged 77 years and
he d. Dec. 81, 1850. Inherited his father’s “French gun.”
Lived in Topsfield and was popularly known as “ Neighbor
Joe.”
Isaac, b. Aug. 2, 1767; d. Sept. 20, 1800.*
33 Moses, bapt. Oct. 1, 1769.
Phebe, bapt. May 3, 1772; m. (pub. March 6, 1796), John Batch-
elder, jr., and d. Sept. 26, 1839.
34 Luke, bapt. Nov. 21, 1779. “ It being the first Child ye Revd
Mr Breck Bp. after his ordination.” — Church Rds.
*“ Died. At Topsfield, Sept. 20th, after a short illness, Isaac Averell , jun. A. M.
aged 33 — Candidate for the Gospel Ministry. He had received a call for set-
tlement from the church and society in Brookfield, South parish, and had given
them an affirmative answer. The 1st day of October next was assigned for his
ordination. His numerous acquaintance will long remember him as a man of
friendship, sobriety and virtue ; and by his death the people whose choice united
in him as their servant in the Lord are subiacted to a very afflictive disappoint-
ment. '•Ofallacem homlnum, spem, fragilemque for tunam.'"— Salem Gaeette,
Sept. 23, 1800.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS
73
22 Paul Aver ill, born in Middleton, Sept. 27, 1742,
was a yeoman, and lived in Andover. Soldier in the
Revolution, marching to Lexington. He married March
10, 1772, Deborah Foster in Andover; and died in 1804;
his wife probably died Dec. 27, 1826.
Children :
John, bp. Nov. 23, 1772 in Andover; d. young.
John, b. Nov. 16, 1776; yeoman; lived in Andover; m. Nov. 13,
1794, Betsey Austin; he d. Dec. 7, 1818; and she d. Nov. 13,
1826, aged 54 years. Had: Elizabeth, b. Mar. 10, 1795.
Deborah, m. Moses Wilkins of Middleton, Feb. 19, 1793.
Betsey, bp. Oct. 24, 1790, in Andover ; m. (int. Dec. 20, 1810)’
James Pettingill.
23 Elijah Averill, born in Middleton, April 28?
1745, was a cordwainer, and bought, in 1775, the farm in
Boxford (lately in the occupation of George Perley) on
which he settled. He married Jan. 4, 1776, Hannah Per-
kins. Administration was granted on his estate Nov. 5,
1782 ; and his wife survived him, marrying, secondly,
Joseph Peabody, 2d, May 25, 1790. She died in Middle
ton, Mar. 17, 1825.
Child, born in Boxford :
Hannah, b, March 16, 1777; d., unm. in Middleton, Nov. 20,
1801, at the age of twenty-four, being affianced to Jonathan
Kenney.
24 Mark Averill, born in Middleton, May 12, 1747,
was a yeoman, and succeeded his father on the homestead
74
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
in Middleton, where he was living in 1798. He married
June 8, 1775, Dorcas Foster of Andover.
Children, born in Middleton :
John, b. Feb. 27, 1776; m. Dec. 29, 1825, Sarah A. Porter of An-
dover, where they lived. No children. He d. June — ,
1838, she d. July 8, 1859.
Ephraim, b. April 2, 1780; m. May 23, 1825, Sally Tapley of
Lynnfield. Lived in Derry, N. H. No children.
Elijah, b. Dec. 10, 1789; m. Lived in Litchfield, N. H. Had
a son and perhaps other children.
Foster, b. Sept. 20, 1792 ; m. Martha R , and had Henry
(drowned); John, lived in Londonderry, N. H.; Mason,
lived in Londonderry, N. H. ; Ephraim, lived in Missouri;
Dorcas, m. Grant, and lived in Gilmantown, N. H. ;
Sarah, m. Lewis Stiles and lived in Lowell; Eda Ann, m.
Ballou, and lived in Alexandria.
25 Joseph Averill, born in Middleton, Oct. 6, 1757,
was a yeoman, and lived in Middleton. He married, first
Dec. 12, 1780, Susanna Pettingill of Andover. She died
in Middleton, Sept. 20, 1818, aged fifty-seven ; and he
married, second, (int. Apr. 10, 1814), Mrs. Rachel (Lefa-
vour) Pettengill, widow of Moses Pettengill. He died
in Middleton, Dec. 9, 1816 ; and she died Dec. 24, 1846,
in Middleton, aged 68 years.
Children, born in Middleton :
35 Benjamin, b. Feb. 22, 1781.
Molly, b. Jan. 3, 1783; m. Nov. 5, 1805, Moses Stiles of Box-
ford, and was living in 1816.
Betsey, b. Oct. 13, 1786; d. in Middleton, unm. Nov. 3, 1814.
Susanna, b. Oct. 20, 1789; d. Jan. 16, 1792.
35a Joseph, b. Dec. 15, 1792.
Susanna, b. March 6, 1795; m. Jan. 11, 1816, Ebenezer Nichols
of Reading. Lived in South Danvers, now Peabody.
26 Nathaniel Perkins Averill, born in Topsfield,
May 1, 1767, was a yeoman, and lived in Topsfield.
Selectman in 1801, 1802. He married April 12, 1791,
Hannah, daughter Thomas and Margaret Wood. She
died Sept. 13, 1816, aged 53 years.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
75
Children, born in Topsfield :
Stephen P., b. Jan. 16, 1792; m. Dec. 13, 1818, at Danvers,
Annah Moore of Topsfield. She d. Jan. 16, 1838, of con-
sumption, aged 40 years.
Dolly, b. Nov. 18; 1794; d. unm. Dec. 3, 1879 at Salem.
36 Thomas, b. March 21, 1798.
37 Nathaniel Perkins, b. Oct. 25, 1803.
38 Aaron Perkins, b. May, 1810.
27 Azariah Averill, born in Topsfield, Feb. 11,
1778; married, Sept. 10, 1799, Sarah A., daughter of
Jacob and Rachel Towne. She died in Salem, a widow,
Sept. 6, 1842. Lived in Topsfield, Beverly and Salem.
Children :
Sarah, b. Aug. 3, 1800, in Topsfield; m. Feb. 9, 1829, John
Sawyer.
Hiram, b. Aug. 3, 1802, at Topsfield; d. at sea, aged 17.
Irene A., b. Aug. 23, 1804, in Topsfield; m. Feb. 10, 1833, Hum-
phrey G. Hubbard of Topsfield.
Mary, b. Feb. 25, 1807, in Beverly; m. (int. May 10, 1829), Wil-
liam R. Hubbard of Topsfield.
Eliza, b. Feb. 25, 1807, in Beverly; d. Nov. 8, 1831; m. July 1,
1830, Humphrey G. Hubbard of Topsfield.
Moses, b. Oct. 9, 1809, in Beverly; d. June 3, 1848, in Danvers.
39 Ephraim, b. Feb. 28, 1813, in Topsfield.
Rachel, b. April 16, 1816, in Salem; m. Nov. 28, 1832, Samuel
Clifford of Topsfield.
28 Moses Averill, born June 5, 1786, in Topsfield ;
married, Oct. 18, 1808, Mehitable Merrill of New Row-
ley, now Georgetown.
Children :
Moses, b. Oct. 8, 1808, in Topsfield; d. Nov. 4, 1808.
Salinda, b. Aug. 18, 1809, in Topsfield ; unm.
40 Royal Augustus, b. May 10, 1811, in Topsfield ; m. and lived
in Stoneham.
Hannah, b. June 3, 1813, in Topsfield; m. Mar. 13, 1832, Capt.
Simon F. Estey; lived in Middleton.
Elizabeth B., b. May 14, 1816, in Topsfield; m. Oct. 24, 1841,
Joseph N. Pope of Topsfield; no children.
John Merrill, b. Mar. 22, 1826, in Middleton; shoemaker; d.
unm. May 9, 1846, in Middleton; buried in Lynn.
76
WILLIAM AYERILL OF IPSWICH
41 Moses Abba, b. Dec. 20, 1827 (1828. Danvers Rds.), in Middle-
ton.
Enoch Faulkner, b. April 13, 1830, in Middleton; m. Anna S.
Hatch; lived in Lynn, where he d. in 1906.
Mehitable Merrill, b. Aug. 1, 1833, in Middleton; d. unm.
Nov. 3, 1897. Lived in Lynn. “ Was a physician of good
repute.”
29 Daniel Averill, born in Topsfield, June 12, 1762,
was a husbandman, and lived in Topsfield; soldier in the
Revolution. He married, July 7, 1795, Betsey Clinton.
She was born in Danvers. He died Jan. 11, 1815, and
she died Dec. 10, 1854, at the almshouse, aged 80 years.
Children :
Daniel, b. Jan. 3, 1796; d. April 6, 1838.
Jacob, b. Feb. 26, 1799; d. unm. Dec. 21, 1837. Was insane the
later part of his life.
Eunice, b. June 4, 1805; m. (int. Oct. 2, 1825), Lieut. William
MacKenzie of Waltham, Yt.
Nabby, b. Nov. 18, 1807; m. Sept. 27, 1830, Samuel Beckford.
30 Solomon Averill, born in Topsfield, Aug. 20,
1769, was a farmer, and lived in Topsfield. He married,
March 11, 1794, Anna, daughter of John and Anna
Towne of B oxford, and died Feb. 23, 1855. She died
March 24, 1851, aged 83 years.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Annis, b. May 6, 1795; m. Oct. 7, 1818, Samuel Blaisdell.
Asa, b. Nov. 16, 1797; m., and lived in Reading.
42 Cyrus, b. Oct. 30, 1802.
31 Benjamin Averill, born in Middleton, Oct. 9,
1770; married, Oct. 15, 1791, Elizabeth, daughter of
David and Elizabeth (Lord) Andrews of Ipswich. Coop-
er. Lived in Ipswich. At his father’s death, Stephen
Dutch of Ipswich was appointed his guardian. Served
on a privateer during the Revolution, securing 1 500 prize
money. Was “Ensign” in the militia in 1800. He died
in Ipswich, Feb. 6, 1841, and she died Aug. 30, 1843,
aged 73 years.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
77
Children, bom in Ipswich:
A daughter, b. and d. Oct. 26, 1791.
Elizabeth, b. April 15, 1793; d. unm. Aug. 17, 1872, in
Ipswich.
43 Benjamin, b. June 20, 1796; d. April 9, 1872.
Joseph, b. Sept. 11, 1800; d. Sept. 20, 1800.
Sarah, b. Aug. 28, 1801; d. Dec. 3, 1828; m. July 23, 1820,
Israel K. Jewett of Ipswich; 7 children.
44 James Kimball, b. Mar. 19, 1804.
Lucy Ann, b. May 6, 1807; d. unm. Sept. 2, 1824.
45 Warren, b. July 6, 1809.
46 William Tarbell, b. April 13, 1811.
32 Elijah Averill, born in Topsfield, Dec. 21, 1762,
was a housewright, and lived in Topsfield. Selectman in
1798. He received, in 1776, by will from his grand-
father, “ the sword that was my Father’s,” i. e., Ebenezer
Averill, born 1669. He married, May 6, 1788, Mary
Gould, daughter Maj. Joseph and Elizabeth Gould. She
died Sept. 7, 1797, se. 36 years, and he died Aug. 4, 1813.
In his inventory of estate were pump making tools,
$18.00.
Children :
Mary, b. Feb. 11, 1789; d. June 26, 1876; m. Nov. 30, 1809, John
Gould, 3d.
Priscilla, b. May 17, 1792; d. Aug. 12, 1872, in Beverly ; m.
Sept. 22, 1812, Capt. John Lamson.
Elizabeth, b. Sept. 4, 1797; d. Nov. 21, 1895; m. (int. Oct. 12,
1834), Dr. John Porter of Wenham. At time of m. she was
of Boston.
33 Moses Averill, baptized in Topsfield, Oct. 1,
1769, married, Dec. 15, 1796, Sarah Clarke, and died July
29, 1798.* She married, 2nd, Nov. 6, 1831, Capt. Joseph
Sawyer, and died, June 2, 1841, aged 69 years.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Infant twin children, d. between Oct. 10-Nov. 30, 1797.
Sarah, b. Sept. 23, 1798; living in 1814.
*Died. At Topsfield, Mr. Moses Averell, aged 29 ; who, in the various relations
of life, exhibited an amiable succession of the social and Christian virtues.—
Salem Gazette , Aug. 7, 1798.
78
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
34 Luke Averill, born in Topsfield, Sept. 20, 1779 ;
married Dec. 21, 1818, Sally, daughter of Thomas and
Lydia (Batchelder) Foster of Rowley; she died April 11,
1873, aged 78. He was a yeoman and lived at “ The Col-
leges.” He was run over by a wagon and killed, July 20,
1821. In the inventory of his estate appears the item :
“ cavalry equipments.”
Children, born in Topsfield :
Mehitable Foster, b. March 28, 1814; d. Jan., 1899 in Read-
ing, Mass. ; m. March 28, 1833, Benjamin F. Adams of Tops-
field.
Lydia Ann, b. May 20, 1816; d. Sept. 25, 1847; m. April 22, 1840
in Ipswich, Israel Wildes, afterwards of Topsfield.
Isaac Newton, b. Aug. 7, 1819; m. 1st, May 17, 1849, Mary S.,
dau. of Asa and Selina Bradstreet of Georgetown. She d.
Dec. 28, 1851, aged 29, having had one child: Lydia Ann, b.
July 9, 1851; d. Sept. 11, 1851, at Ipswich. He m. 2d, March
19, 1857, Mary E., dau. of John C. and Elizabeth Wilson of
Annapolis, N. S. She d. Aug. 20, 1880, aged 62. Shoe oper-
ative; lived in Topsfield where he d. Oct. 29, 1906.
35 Benjamin Averill, born Feb. 22, 1781, in Mid-
dleton ; married, June 2, 1808, Hannah, daughter of An-
drew and Ruth (Curtis) Peabody of Middleton. She was
born Aug. 22, 1788, and died Feb. 4, 1854. He died Aug.
13, 1849.
Children, all born in Middleton:
Hannah, b. Sept. 23, 1808; d. unm. May 8, 1884.
Ruth, b. Oct. 4, 1810; d. Apr. 21, 1891; m. 1st, Apr. 2, 1835, Bar-
zillai Gould; 2 children. He d. Oct. 24, 1848 and she m. 2d,
Dec. 10, 1856, Rev. John Gillingham of Bradford and War-
ren, N. H.
47 Benjamin, b. June 30, 1812.
48 Andrew Peabody, b. June 5, 1815.
49 Joseph, b. March 31, 1818.
Ebenezer Hubbard, b. Feb. 4, 1820; d. Sept. 30, 1849.
50 Edward Putnam, b. Nov. 23, 1821.
Alfred Augustus, b. Mar. 8, 1825; m. Mar. 15, 1868, Martha J.,
dau. of Samuel W. and Polly (Gould) Weston. She was b.
June 26, 1838, and d. Oct. 22, 1908 in Middleton.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
79
35a Joseph Averill, born in Middleton, Dec. 15,
1792, was a farmer, and lived in that part of Andover that
afterwards became North Andover. He married May 23,
1819, Elizabeth Averill, probably daughter of John and
Betsey (Austin) Averill. She died Nov. 18, 1851 and he
died Mar. 5, 1876.
Children, born in Andover :
Elizabeth, b. Sept. 27, 1819.
John, b. July 18, 1821; m. Oct. 31, 1854, Fidelia, dau. Jacob and
Susanna Berry of Andover.
Joseph, b. Aug. 18, 1824; farmer; lived in North Andover; m.
1st, Nov. 18, 1856, Susan M. Perley of Boxford. She d. June
21, 1871, and he m. 2d, July 10, 1873, Eunice B. Perley, sis-
ter of his first wife. He d. Sept. 24, 1887 and she d. July
13, 1892. Had: (1) George Leonard, b. July 28, 1859; m. Dec.
20, 1883, Elvira Lake Towne of Topsfield. Farmer and lives
in North Andover; (2) Mary Lizzie, b. Mar. 31, 1861; m. Apr.
9, 1895, Charles Walter Paul; (3) Florence Maria, b. Sept. 24,
1865.
George D., b. Sept. 10, 1830; shoemaker; d. unm. July 9, 1852.
36 Thomas Averill, born in Topsfield, March 21,
1798 ; married, Sept. 6, 1827, Sophronia, daughter of
Dominick and Sarah (Perkins) Moore. She died May 2,
1874. Shoemaker and farmer; lived in Topsfield and
died May 8, 1846.
Children, all born in Topsfield :
A child, b. Feb. 4, 1828; d. Feb. 6, 1828.
51 Thomas Leverett, b. Nov. 1, 1829.
52 Edward Augustus, b. May 3, 1832.
Mary Ellen, b. June 15, 1835; m. Patch.
George Franklin, b. Jan. 6, 1844; m. Oct. 3, 1866, Lodie A.,
dau. of Daniel and Fanny (Small) Towne. Farmer and cider
manufactnrer. Soldier in Civil War; 6 mos. service in Co. B,
7th Mass. Vols. and 100 days service in Co. 1, 6th Mass. Vols.
37 Nathaniel Perkins Averill, born in Topsfield,
Oct. 25, 1808, married Susan S. daughter of William and
Jemima Silver.* He died at Salem of consumption, Nov.
*The marriage of Nathaniel P. Averill and Sarah Sheldon on June 6, 1819 is re-
corded at Danvers.
80
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
T, 1861. She died at Salem, May 10, 1867 aged 67 years
and 4 months.
Child, born in Salem :
53 Nathaniel S., b. July 4, 1835.
38 Aaron Perkins Averill, born in Topsfield, May,
1810, married Jan. 24, 1838, in Topsfield, Julia Ann East-
man. He died at Georgetown, Feb. 7, 1865, aged 54 y.,
9 m.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Edwin Wallace, b. Aug. 5, 1838; d. Nov. 27, 1845.
Martha Ann, b. Sept. 19, 1841.
Harriet Wood, b. May 20, 1847.
38 Ephraim Averill, born in Topsfield, Feb. 28,
1813; married, first, April 11, 1833, Lydia Simonds Pot-
ter of Ipswich. She died Aug. 3, 1850, and he married,
second, May 4, 1851, Mary Faulkner, daughter of Eben-
ezer and Lydia Towne. She became insane and died June
6, 1870, in Ipswich, aged 57. He possessed a fine bass
voice and for many years conducted old time “ singing
schools.” He died in Topsfield, Jan. 26, 1898.
Children, all born in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich :
Eliza Mary, b. June 6, 1834; m. April 25, 1852, Charles Perkins
of Topsfield, and d. Mar. 19, 1907.
54 Ephraim Perkins, b. Mar. 9, 1836.
Caroline Augusta, b. Jan. 11, 1841; m. 1st, May 10, 1859, Ben-
jamin How of Ipswich; m. 2d, June 5, 1873, Thomas Potter
of Ipswich; m. 3d, April 6, 1881, William H. Tozier of Ips-
wich. Lives in Ipswich.
40 Albert Augustus Averill, born in Topsfield,
May 10, 1811, married, Sept. 15, 1839 at Danvers, Han-
nah M., daughter of Timothy and Clarissa Walton. She
died at Stoneham, Mar. 3, 1852. He was named at birth
Royal Augustus Averill, without doubt for Royal Augus-
tus Merriam, M. D., the Topsfield physician. He went
by the name of “ Augustus” during his younger days but
on attaining his majority he adopted the name Albert
Augustus. Lived in Salem and Stoneham.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
81
Children :
Hannah Jane, b. June 7, 1841, in Salem.
Archana Maria, b. ; m. Mar. 10, 1861, in Middleton,
Otis M. Clement of Stoneham.
Electra P., b. July 7, 1848, in Salem; d. Aug. 25, 1848 inSalem.
Abby L., b. Feb., 1852; d. July 28, 1852.
41 Moses Abba Averill, born Dec. 20, 1827 (1828.
Danvers Rds.); in Middleton, married July 20, 1851, at
Salem, Mary Jane Ellis, daughter of Dougal and Caroline
C. (Fuller) Campbell, born at Newport, N. S. She died
in Salem, Apr. 19, 1885, aged 57 years, and he died in
Salem, Dec. 22, 1895. He was a shoemaker while a young
man living in Danvers and afterwards removed to Salem
when he became a policeman and court officer.
Children :
Moses F., b. Mar. 23, 1852, in Peabody; d. Dec. 11, 1868, in
Salem.
Arthur A., b. Oct., 1853 in Peabody; d. Feb. 19, 1902 in Salem.
Lawyer.
Salenda Evelyn, b. Sept. 23, 1864, in Salem; m. Sept. 10, 1884.
Robert S. Coblents of Peabody. Lives in Salem.
42 Cyrus Averill, born in Topsfield, Oct. 80, 1802;
married Dec. 8, 1828, Lavinia, daughter of Darius and
Mary (Kezar) Dickenson of Ipswich. She died Dec. 21,
1888, aged 82. Farmer ; lived in Topsfield and died
March 10, 1891.
Children, all born in Topsfield :
Elma Lavinia, b. Oct. 23, 1830; d. Mar. 7, 1896, in Topsfield;
m. Aug. 15, 1857, George H. Davison, of Gloucester.
Maria Jane, b. Oct. 11, 1832; d. Dec. 30, 1900 in Topsfield; m.
April, 1854, at Danvers, James R. Hobbs.
55 Cyrus Austin, b. Aug. 10, 1834.
Sarah Amanda, b. Oct. 29, 1836; m. Oct. 7, 1853, at Danvers,
Nathaniel Foster of Topsfield.
Mary Boynton, b. April 20, 1839; m. Feb. 25, 1870, Addison
Wonson of Gloucester.
John Francis, b. June 9, 1852; unm.; lives in Topsfield.
Ellen Frances, b. June 18, 1843, Family Record (Cynthia Ellen,
Aug, 18, 1843 — Town Record d. March 25, 1864, suicide by
poison.
82
WILLIAM AYERILL OF IPSWICH
43 Benjamin Averill, born in Ipswich, June 20,
1798 ; married April 25, 1821, in Ipswich, Elizabeth,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hodgkins) Jewett.
Cooper. Removed to Salem in 1835, where he died April
9, 1872. She died Dec. 4, 1882, aged 81 years.
Children, born in Ipswich and Rowley :
Elizabeth Lord, b. Aug. 14, 1821, in Ipswich; d. Sept. 16, 1822.
Elizabeth Lord, b. Sept. 18, 1822, in Ipswich; d. unin.,Nov. 8,
1903 at Salem.
Luoy Ann, b. Sept. 14, 1824, in Ipswich, d. Sept. 29, 1825.
Sarah Jewett, b. June 6, 1826, in Ipswich; d. July 27, 1885 in
Salem.
John Jewett, b. July 25, 1828, in Ipswich; d. July 9, 1897 ; m.
June 14, 1855, Octavia W. Oliver of Bath, Me.; carpenter
and foreman. Children: Daniel Webster Dodge, b. Sept. 9,
1860, in Salem; d. Sept. 4, 1875, in Salem; Julia M., b. Nov.
29, 1817, in Salem.
Luoy Ann, b. July 1, 1830, in Ipswich; m. April 1, 1860, Edward
H. Randall. Lives in Salem.
Harriet J., b. Jan. 2, 1832, in Ipswich; d. Nov. 4, 1907, unm.,
at Salem.
56 James William, b. Feb. 22, 1834, in Ipswich.
Benjamin, b. Dec. 26, 1835, in Rowley; carpenter and distiller;
d. Mar. 2, 1879; m. Lucy J. Redmond. Had: Martha C., b.
Sept. 15, 1861.
Joseph Jewett, b. Dec. 13, 1836, in Rowley; d. May 18, 1836.
Ellen Hodges, b. Jan. 2, 1839, in Rowley; m. at Fall River,
June 19, 1902, Capt. Wm. Prescott Powers of Deer Isle, Me.
Joseph Jewett (twin), b. June 10, 1841, in Rowley; painter;
m. July 29, 1869, Cassandra D., dau. Thos. and Susan T. Max-
field. He d. at Salem, Feb. 6, 1903.
Samuel Andrews (twin), b. June 10, 1841, in Rowley; d. Aug.
2, 1842 in Salem.
George Jewett, b. June 15, 1845, in Rowley; carriage painter;
d. May 28, 1898; m. Jan. 20, 1876, Georgianna P., dau.
George M. and Elizabeth (Gray) Saunders of Salem. Had:
Harry Webster, b. Nov. 6, 1881.
44 James Kimball Averill, born in Ipswich, Mar.
19, 1804, married Nov, 10, 1835, Eliza Howard, daughter
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Howard) Brown of Salem. He
was a cabinet-maker and learned his trade with Nathaniel
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
83
Appleton of Salem. He died Sept. 2, 1855 in Ipswich.
She died in Salem, Aug. 1, 1867, aged 65 years.
Children :
Harriet Eliza, b. 1839; d. unm. Feb. 27, 1882 at Salem.
George H., b. 1840; m. Oct. 29, 1872, at Hamilton, Edna Augus-
ta, dau. of Dudley and Ednah (Dane) Porter; d. Nov. 17,
1907; clerk. She d. June 16, 1911 in Salem, aged 72 years.
Caroline Howard, m. Wheeler.
45 Warren Averill, born July 6, 1809, in Ipswich;
married May 15, 1832, Elizabeth Jane Knox of Gardner,
Me., then resident in Ipswich. She died Jan. 28, 1880.
He was a cooper by trade, at one time being engaged in
the fishing business. He died Nov. 26, 1884.
Children, all born in Ipswich :
Margaret E., b. ; d. Feb. 11, 1851.
Abby Jane Gardner, b. June 16, 1846; d. Sept. 29, 1851.
A son, b. July 23, 1853; d. July 26, 1853.
Luenia, b. Aug. 4, 1855; m. July 20, 1892, Charles L. Perkins of
Newburyport.
46 William Tarbell Averill, born April 13, 1811,
in Ipswich ; married 1st, Eliza Winter of Gloucester. She
died Aug. 17, 1839 and he married 2nd, July 15, 1841,
Harriet J., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hodgkins)
Jewett of Ipswich. She died Apr. 28, 1890. He was a
carpenter by trade and lived in Gloucester and Ipswich.
Was tax collector for many years and inspector of cus-
toms in 1848. He died July 1, 1881.
Child by 1st wife :
William, b. Feb., 1839; d. Nov. 19, 1839.
Children by 2d wife :
Lydia Manning, b. Sept. 23, 1842; d. Jan. 27, 1870; m. Nov. 29,
1866, Charles W. Bamford of Ipswich.
57 William Warren, b. Nov. 17, 1845.
A son, b. Nov. 23, 1848; d. Nov. 26, 1848.
47 Benjamin Averill, born June 30, 1812, in Mid-
dleton; married, Jan. 1, 1846, Lois, daughter of Jacob
84
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
and Lois (Lufkin) Proctor of Derry, N. H. She was
born April 2, 1822 and died in Middleton, Nov., 1898.
He lived in Middleton and died there Aug. 18, 1881.
Children :
Benjamin Franklin, b. April 15, 1856; m. June 9, 1892,
Louise Booker of Howardsville, Va., where they now live.
No children.
John Quincy, b. 1859; unm.; lives in Middleton.
Alvin Procter, b. Nov. 25, 1860; d. Oct. 25, 1862.
48 Andrew Peabody Averill, born June 5, 1815,
in Middleton ; married, May 28, 1840, Elizabeth Stearns,
daughter of Peabody and Dolly (Kenny) Russell of Box.
ford. She was born Dec. 4, 1817 and died Oct. 24, 1890.
He died Dec. 17, 1889. Lived in Middleton.
Children :
Albert Avander, b. Jan. 15, 1842; m. May, 1866, Sarah, dau.
of Isaac and Sarah (Peasley) Craig of Newbury, N. H.
Benjamin Russell, b. Nov. 14, 1849; d. May 29, 1864.
Andrew Preston, b. July 18, 1856; m. Dec. 25, 1882, Cora S.
McKay, b. Apr. 25, 1860, in Bowdoin, Me.; Harvard Univ.
Supt. Schools, Martha’s Vineyard; 6 children.
Charles Sidney, b. Feb. 9, 1859; d. unm. Aug. 16, 1885; school-
teacher.
49 Joseph A verill, born March 31, 1818, in Mid-
dleton ; married, 1st, Oct. 22, 1884, Martha A., daughter
of Joseph Berry and Patty (Elliott) Perkins of Middleton.
She was born April 13, 1825 and died, April 24, 1884, in
Danvers. He married, 2nd, Oct. 14, 1886, Mrs. Mary J.
(Perkins) Greene, a sister of his first wife. He died Jan.
8, 1893, in Danvers.
Children, all by 1st wife :
Leverett Perkins, b. Sept. 14, 1847; d. Aug. 28, 1848.
Leverett Perkins, b. Sept. 4, 1849; m. Jan. 17, 1877, Harriet
Putnam, dau. of George P. and Charlotte (Towne) Wilkins
of Middleton. She was b. April 11, 1850. No children. He
d. Oct. 2, 1894, in Danvers.
Helen Ward, b. Oct. 8, 1855; unm.; grad. Holyoke Seminary;
lives in St. Paul, Minn.
AND SOME OP HIS DESCENDANTS.
85
Annie M., b. Oct. 11, 1858; ra. 1st. Fiske; m. 2nd, Caleb C.
Gardner of Salem.
George.
50 Edward Putnam Averill, born Nov. 28, 1821,
in Middleton ; married, 1st, Dec. 26, 1849, Lavinia K.
daughter of William and Hannah (Moore) Perkins of
Andover. She was born Sept. 20, 1829 and died in
1858. He married, 2nd, April 19, 1857, Mary Ham,
daughter of William and Martha (Ham) Webber of San-
ford, Me. She was born Jan. 27, 1829 and died Mar. 2,
1887, in Lynn. He married, 8rd, Apr. 12, 1888, Abbie
A., daughter of Lyman and Synthia (Webber) Butler of
Sanford, Me. She was born July 28, 1849. Lives in
Lynn.
Children by 2nd wife :
Clarence B., b. April 22, 1858; unm.
Ceresoo Putnam, b. Sept. 13, 1860; d. Sept. 8, 1861, in Mid-
dleton.
Ceresco Putnam, b. Jan. 24, 1862; unm.
51 Thomas Leverett Averill, born in Topsfield,
Nov. 1, 1829 ; married July, 1851, Ruth R. Carr of New-
buryport. Farmer and painter. He died June 14, 1889.
Children born in Topsfield :
Susan Silver, b. Dec. 13, 1851; m. Sept. 27, 1875, Frank G.
Moore of Dallas, Texas; merchant.
Sidney Wood, b. May 14, 1857; unm.; lived in Topsfield.
52 Edward Augustus Averill, born in Topsfield,
May 8, 1882, married in Salem, Oct. 16, 1855, Harriet
M. W., daughter of Richard Preston, born in Ohio
Farmer and engineer. He died of heart disease, Feb. 7
1890, in Salem.
Children :
Ella J., b. 1856; m. at Lynn, Feb. 10, 1876, George H., son of
Edward P., and Adeline D. (Warren) Smith.
Mary F., b. July 3, 1864, in Salem.
Gertrude M., b. Oct. 28, 1872, in Salem.
86
WILLIAM AVERILL OF IPSWICH
53 Nathaniel S. Averill, born July 4, 1885 ; mar-
ried Jan. 1, 1867, Mary J., daughter of Alexander and
Jane Bowie of Bowdoin, Me. ; died Nov. 11, 1906 ; currier.
Child, born in Salem.
Nathaniel Herbert, b. April 16, 1878; m. June 10, 1908,
Katherine, dau. Arthur D. and Nannie E. (Foster) Morrison.
Plumber. •
»
54 Ephriam Perkins Averill, born in Linebrook
Parish, Ipswich, Mar. 9, 1836 ; married Dec. 8, 1864,
Susan, daughter of William G. and Mehetable (Balch)
Lake. Soldier in Civil War; three years in Co. D. 12th
Mass. Yols. ; corporal. Shoe operative. Lived in Tops-
field where he died Nov. 29, 1909.
Children, born in Topsfield :
Elmer Perkins, b. April 20, 1866; m. Nov. 29, 1889, at George-
town, Annie P. dau. of Whipple and Charlotte A. (Smith)
Ingalls. Children: Eleanor, b. Jan. 2, 1890; d. March 20,
1890; Charles Francis, b. June 3, 1891; Florence Osgood, b.
Jan. 13, 1893. Shoe operative; lives in Topsfield.
Carrie Hammond, b. Dec. 2, 1871; m. Dec. 20, 1894 at Paw-
tucket, R. I., Arthur G. Lunt of Newburyport. Child:
Arthur Osgood, b. July 25, 1895.
Lulu Jessie, b. April 3, 1876.
55 Cyrus Austin Aver ell, born in Topsfield, Aug.
10, 1834 ; married April 6, 1864, Margaret Y., daughter
of Charles and Anna Sweeney of Topsfield. Farmer ;
lived in Topsfield and died there March 26, 1900.
Children, all born in Topsfield :
Herman Austin, b. March 7, 1865; d. March 8, 1865.
Albion Francis, b. May 4, 1866; carpenter; d. Sept. 22, 1896.
Charles Justin, b. June 12, 1871.
Frederick Austin, b. April 10, 1879.
Marion Elizabeth, b. Dec. 17, 1880; m. Oct. 18, 1905, JohnR.
Gould of Topsfield.
56 James William Averill, born Feb. 22, 1834, in
Ipswich ; married Dec. 31, 1865, in Salem, Martha J.
daughter of Amos T. and Abigail L. Leavitt of Hampton,
N. H. ; died Nov. 10, 1906. House-painter ; lived in Salem.
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
87
Child :
Arthur Lane, b. Jan. 26, 1867, in Salem; Boston Univ. 1896;
lawyer; lives in Salem.
57 William Warren Averill, born Nov. 17, 1845,
at Ipswich, machinist, married, 1st, Oct. 8, 1866, at Salem,
Annie L. daughter of Samuel P. and Sarah L. (Norfolk)
Floyd. She died at Salem, of consumption, May 12, 1873,
aged 30 years and he married, 2d, Nov. 24, 1886, at Pea-
body, Mrs. Martha A. (Bruce) Pickering, daughter of
Daniel and Mary I. S. Bruce of Marblehead. Lives in
Salem ; milk contractor.
Children, born in Salem :
Ernest Holten, b. Apr. 7, 1867; m. June 17, 1908, Mrs. Ada
L. (Harrington) Brown, dau. Simon G. and Caroline A.
Harrington.
Lydia M. B., b. May 18, 1870; d. May 18, 1879 in Salem.
Ednah Floyd (twin), b. July 30, 1872; d. May 26, 1879.
Edith Jewett (twin), b. July 30, 1872; m. Nov. 20, 1895, in
Salem, Horace B. Brooks of Salem.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
COPIED FROM SALEM NEWSPAPERS
BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
( Continued from Volume XVI (1911) page 11/4.)
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.*
The Board of County Commissioners has been filled by the
appointment of Hon. Asa W. Wildes, of Newburyport, and B.
F. Newhall, Esq., of Saugus, as County Commissioners, and Dr.
R. A. Merriam, of Topsfield, as Special Commissioner.
Salem Gazette , June 14, 1844.
The following article was mislaid at the time of its reception.
For the Gazette.
Mr. Editor. The subject of the following lines was for
more than a century the Meeting House of a religious society in
Topsfield. The spirit of improvement, or whatever it may be,
which is causing our old churches to disappear so rapidly, from
among us, has converted this ancient edifice, into the workshop
of a tanner and currier, and it is now, as you are probably
aware, occupying the situation of a still more venerable looking
building, which a year or two since was standing on Boston
street.
Know ye the spot where tapering to the sky
The Firemen’s flag staff lifts its head on high ;
Know ye the place where leather, hides and tan,
Are household words, to every Working-man;
Then do ye know the House that wandered down
From Topsfield woods to Salem’s ancient town.
As some old horse, to whom in youthful pride
No praise was stinted, and no care denied,
Is cast aside when age comes creeping on,
Kick’d by the traveller, and caressed by none,
•The following items for the year 1844 were inadvertently omitted from their
regular order.— Editor.
(88)
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 89
So now, deserted by its antient friends,
Topsfield’s old Church to Death’s dark vale descends,
Unwept, unhonour’d now, the building stands,
Its spacious Portals torn by ruthless hands ;
No more the humble Christian kneels in prayer
Before his God, and finds acceptance there ;
No more the sleeping sinner, starts to hear
The truth he slighted, thundering in his ear ;
Hush’d is the voice of Prayer, the song of Praise,
Which formed the light, and life, of other days.
In Scripture times the Tabernacle stood,
Not cover’d o’er with boards and beams of wood,
But badger skins, and sheep skins colored red,
Pormed for the Jews a statlier roof instead ;
With skins of Beasts, like those in antient days,
Our modern tanners still their structures raise ;
But wisely differing from the antient J ews,
They tan the skins and make them into shoes,
From which, by some strange Alchemy, they pass
To good pine boards, cut nails, and window glass.
Oh what strange transformations do we find,
In men and things for nobler deeds designed ;
Within these walls are drawn, not notes of praise,
But notes of hand, that run for certain days,
When down to Boston street the Bosses flock
For honest tradesman, and the best of stock,
Where text and sermon, taught the gospel plan ;
The talk is now, of Hemlock Bark, and Tan.
And if “ Old Hundred” seen to strike the ear,
You’ve miss’d the phrase, they’re counting cow hides here.
The sacred Oil, which down from Aaron’s race,
Has marked the Priesthood, and the Holy place,
Yields in these Courts its glorious meed forever,
To that vile stuff, that’s made from Codfish liver ;
And old tin cannisters, and casks of wood ;
Are seen where once the Silver Goblets stood.
What tho’ no Golden Calf is worshiped here,
To fill the soul with darkness and with fear ;
Still, if the truth with plainness must be told,
They’d eat a Calf, and tan his skin, for gold.
Alas, how great the difference must appear,
A church in Topsfield, and a Tanyard here ;
90 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Yet this great change its present business suits
Not saving souls of men, but tanning soles of boots.
F.
Salem Gazette } Aug. 6, 1844.
EX TENT ION OF HALE & CO'S.
INDEPENDENT LETTER MAIL.
Office No. 14 Washington street , Lawrence Place , Salem.
Postage 6 1-4 cts., or 20 franks for $1. Postage to Detroit,
Cleveland, Chicago and St. John and St. Andrews, N. B.,
12 1-2 cts.
OFFICES are established at Boston, [and many other cities.
Joel Lake was the agent was Topsfield.]
Mails close at Salem Office ,
Southern and Western at 10 A. M., and 2 P. M.
Northern and Eastern at 8 1-2 and 10 A. M., and 2 and 5 3-4
P. M.
Boston 8 1-2 and 10 A. M., 2 and 5 3-4 P. M.
Postage to and from Boston 5 cents, including the penny post.
SYLVESTER PHELPS, Agent.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 13, 1844.
[In the advertisement of the Essex Mechanics Mutual Fire
Insurance Company of Salem, the name of Charles Herrick of
Topsfield appears among the Directors.]
Salem Gazette , Aug. 23, 1844.
A Great Move. Arrangements have been made to remove
the Topsfield Hotel to the sea shore, in Lynn, near the country
seat of Mr. Robert Brookhouse, of this city. Mr. Tapley, the
great clod-compellor, we understand has contracted to deliver
said Hotel, “ in good order and well conditioned,” as the bills of
lading say, at a certain specified date. The distance, we believe,
is twelve or fourteen miles. The Hotel, which is quite spacious,
will|be removed in detached portions, and put together on its
projected site.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 3, 1844.
JB@°* The old farmers in Massachusetts are quite astonished
at the abundance, beauty and excellence of fruit the present
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 91
season. We visited not long since a young and thrifty orchard
on Washington Street, in Boxford, in that State, owned by the
venerable Doctor George W. Sawyer, and such a display of fruit
it was never our fortune to witness before. The trees were all
young and each limb and twig had as much as it could do to sup-
port the weight upon it. The fruit was all of the choicest kinds
and the variety quite extensive. This orchard seemed to be a pet
of the Doctor’s old age. It is situated near his dwelling
upon a gravel knoll and the soil is kept loose about the roots of
the trees. It struck us as something remarkable that all the
fruit not only appeared large but exceedingly fair and plump
and beautiful. The Doctor supposes this to result from keeping
the soil loose.
We also examined the large barn on the Doctor’s farm, and
which is said to be, (and we have no doubt of the fact) the best
barn in the county of Essex. It is built on the side of a hill
excavated for the purpose, with a stone basement of excellent
workmanship. — The entrance to the basement is on one side
from the barn yard which is enclosed with a beautiful stone
wall. There is an entrance to the main floor at one end, and
an entrance with cattle and carts in the second story from the
other end by means of a part of the remaining hill. The barn
is 50 or 80 feet and neither timber, board or plank throughout
is spliced. Every piece was cut for the purpose even to the
plank, eighty feet long. The barn in all its parts and appoint-
ments is in the highest style of neatness, convenience and
elegance.
The Doctor is equally famous for his excellent humor and
generous hospitality as for his professional skill and his agricul-
tural success. Long may he live to enjoy the good things about
him. Bangor Whig .
Salem Gazette , Sept. 24, 1844.
TOPSFIELD AWAKE .
The Hon. Daniel P. King will deliver a Political Lecture,
at the Academy Hall in Topsfield, THIS EVENING, at 7
o’clock. All the voters of each party are respectfully invited.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 8, 1844.
[B. A. Merriam, M. D. of Topsfield was 1st Vice President of
the Essex County Whig Convention held at Ipswich, Oct. 15th.]
Salem Gazette , Oct. 18, 1844.
92 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
For the Gazette.
TOPSFIELD, UP AND DOING.
Topsfield, Nov. 1. — Mr. Editor. — The Whigs of Topsfield
had a truly glorious meeting on Saturday evening last. The
spacious Hall of the Academy was crowded. The utmost enthu-
siasm prevailed and every thing went bravely on. Ebenezer
Hussey of Lynn, delivered a two hours’ speech of thrilling elo-
quence and great power. It was a complete vindication of his
position of the inalienable rights of man — and of the identity of
the Whig party with the great principles of human freedom.
Mr. Hussey is an eloquent speaker, and will do this state much
service. The Topsfield Boys will come up to the Polls on the
11th inst. and if I am not much mistaken, you will see that
they know how to appreciate the services of the great Statesmen
of the West.
Many ladies were present at our meeting on Saturday even-
ing, to cheer us with their sunny smiles, and invoke the blessing
of Heaven on our noble cause. P.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 5, 1844.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Kepresentatives of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
The Petition of the Congregational Parish in Topsfield, in
the county of Essex, respectfully shews : That in and by the
last will and testament of Daniel Bixby, late of said Topsfield,
made and published on the first day of November, A. D. 1811,
and duly allowed and approved in February, A. D. 1825, the
farm of the testator, situated partly in said Topsfield and partly
in Boxford, in said county, after the termination of certain life
estates, therein, is given and devised to the Selectmen of said
Topsfield and their successors in office forever, in trust, for the
support of a gospel minister or ministers, in said Topsfield, of
the Congregational denomination; that said life estates have
terminated, and that your petitioners are now legally entitled,
by the terms and trusts of said will, to the rents, incomes and
profits of said estate ; and that said estate could be more con-
veniently administered and the trust in said will could be more
beneficially discharged by a board of Trustees to be appointed
from time to time by your petitioners, than by boards of Select-
men of the town, changing from year to year. Whereupon
your petitioners pray that after due notice shall be given to all
parties in interest, for the passage of an act authorizing the said
estate to be held and administered and the said trusts to be
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 93
discharged by a board of Trustees to be appointed as aforesaid,
or in such other mode as shall be deemed just and reasonable, in
lieu of the Selectmen of said Topsfield as provided for in said
will. And as in duty bound will ever pray, by
WM. N. CLEAVELAND, ) Committee
JOHN WEIGHT, [ of
SAMUEL TODD, ) said Parish.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 29, 1847.
TOPSFIELD ACADEMY.
The Spring Term of this Institution, will commence on
THURSDAY, the 25th inst. and continue Twelve Weeks. Ap-
plication made to
J. H. NOYES, Principal.
Topsfield, Feb. 12, 1847.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 12, 1847.
LOST
Between Topsfield and Salem, a bag containing 13 pair of
Youth’s Shoes. The finder shall be suitable rewarded, at the
Salem Gazette Office.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 13, 1847.
Topsfield Academy !
FOR BOTH SEXES
The Summer Term will commence on Thursday, the 20th of
May next, and continue eleven weeks. Tuition — $4 00; Lan-
guages— $1 00 extra. Board, within a few steps of the Academy,
from $1 50 to $2 00.
Application for admission may be made to
J. H. NOYES, Principal
Salem Gazette , Apr. 27, 1847.
«#“We understand there was " considerable of a hail storm"
in Topsfield on Monday afternoon.
Salem Gazette , June 18, 1847.
SUMMARY
We copied a paragraph, a few weeks since, concerning a
machine for making pegs by steam, in Cincinnati. It was said
that eighteen bushels a day are turned out by it. One of these
94 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
machines is in operation in Topsfield, worked by a small steam
engine, and making as large a quantity of pegs as that referred
to in Cincinnati. The machine is the invention of Mr. Richards,
one of the most ingenious mechanics of this town. It was to
have been expected that a town where so many shoes are made
should produce an invention like this.
— Lynn News.
Salem Gazette , June 26, 1847.
DEATHS
In Topsfield, Mr. Benjamin Pike, aged 93 years and 4 mos. —
a revolutionary pensioner.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 11, 1847.
Browne’s Pectoral Syrup of Cohosh
for Coughs, Colds, Asthma, Brochitis, etc.
Testimonial of Benj. C. Orne, Esq. Post Master at Topsfield.
Topsfield, Mar. 6, 1848.
Dear Sir, — I have been afflicted for two years or more with
the Asthma, and have tried several kinds of medicine, and found
no relief, until I procured a bottle of your Pectoral Syrup of
Cohosh. I have taken only one bottle, and have found great
relief from using it. I would, therefore, recommend this medi-
cine to those who are afflicted with the Asthma, as being the
best medicine I have ever used for that complaint.
Very respectfully yours
BENJ. C. ORNE.
The above Syrup is sold, wholesale and retail, by F. J.
Browne, 226 Essex st.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 25, 1848.
PREMIUM TREES. — For Sale at Lake’s Nurseries.
TOPSFIELD , MASS.,
A very superior lot of Fruit Trees, consisting of the following
kinds viz:
APPLE, PEACH , PLUM, CHERRY , QUINCE
APRICOT, &c ., &c.
Also — 200 extra size Pear Trees, with bearing heads;
700 “ “ Baldwin Apple Trees,
3 or 4 years upon the bud, very straight and handsome,
height, average 9 feet.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 95
The above Trees are of the choicest and most approved kinds
of Fruit, and have received the 1st and 2d premiums of the Essex
Agricultural Society the last two years, and will be sold at
wholesale and retail at moderate prices.
— Also —
500 European Mountain Ash ;
50,000 Seedling Apple Stocks ;
5,000 Pear ; Hedge Plants ;
30 kinds Double Dahlias.
W. G. LAKE
Topsfield, April 14, 1848.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 18, 1848.
Genealogical. The interesting memoranda published in the
Gazette on Friday reminded a subscriber that the late Capt.
Thomas Baker, of Gloucester, whose death at the age of 86, was
announced in the same paper was allied to one branch of the
Appleton family, thus — (vide Farmer and other sources:) —
John Appleton died at Great Waldingfield, in Suffolk, England
in 1436. His son Samuel, born at Little Waldingfield in 1586
came to New England in 1635, and settled at Ipswich. Free-
man 1636; Bep. 1637 ; died 1670, leaving among other children,
a son Samuel born at Little Waldingfield 1625 ; Bep. of Ipswich
1669-75-77 and 80; military officer and commander in chief in
Philip’s war of 1676; assistant 6 years, and one of the council
under charter of Wm. & Mary, 1692. He died May, 1696. He
married 2d, Mary, daughter of John Oliver, Dec. 2, 1656, and
had among other children a son Isaac, born 1704, and died at
Ipswich 1794, having had sons : — 1 Isaac, of New Ipswich, born
1731, died 1806, the father of Samuel, Nathan and Ebenezer
Appleton, distinguished citizens of Boston. 2. Francis, of
New Ipswich, the father of Bev. Jesse Appleton, D. D. ; former
President of Bowdoin College. 3. Samuel. 4. Thomas, who
married Lydia, a sister of Hon. Nathan Dane, and settled in
Beverly, where his son Daniel now resides. His wife Lydia,
aforesaid, died 1845 at the advanced age of 103. 5. John.
6. Daniel. 7. William. 8. Joseph, a clergyman. Several
of these sons settled in Maine. The Priscilla Baker named above
was daughter of Capt. Thos. B. of Topsfield, who was born Sept.
13, 1636, married Priscilla, daughter of Dep. Gov. Symonds,
Nov. 26, 1672, and died Mar. 18, 1718. Freeman, 1669; Bep.
1686-89-90. His children were Priscilla, born Dec. 8, 1674,
married S. Appleton ; Martha, born Oct. 14, 1682, married
Sergeant ; Bebecca, born Nov. 16, 1685 ; Thomas, born Feb. 17,
1688; John, born Jan. 6, 1691; Elizabeth, born . It is
96 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
said that upon a visit of some of his legislative acquaintances
from Boston, at his home in Topsfield, his children came running
into the room with all the freedom and liberty of young democ-
racy, and the honest heartedness of country life, when the digni-
ty of Capt. Baker being offended at this exhibition before his
city guests, he asked his wife why she did not send these child-
ren to their homes. Simultaneously the children relieved their
mother from the trouble of a reply, and taught their father a
lesson for the future, by exclaiming in a breath, “ Why father !
we are at home now ! ’* Capt. Baker was the son of John Baker
of Ipswich, who gave his son Thomas a deed in 1661, “ of all
his lands, housing, &c., in Topsfield, 150 acres more or less.”
His wife was Elizabeth. Capt. B. willed his son Thomas “ my
silver tankard and silver spoon yt was my father’s, and also a
good bed for the use of strangers.” The widow of Gov. Sy-
monds was Rebecca, formerly the wife of Deacon Robert Hale,
of Charlestown, and mother of Rev. John Hale, the first minis-
ter of Beverly. She died 1695, names in her will her kinsman
Bennett L. Straine in England, and gives among other legacies,
“my grogeram manto and cullered silk petticoat” to “ my
daughter Baker.” Thomas, the son of Capt. T. married Mary,
and died 1728, leaving a son John, to whom he gave all his lands
at Argylla farm, in Ipswich, and a son Thomas all his lands in
Topsfield, adjoining what was then and formerly known as
Baker’s, but now as Praitchard’s Pond. This latter Thomas
born 1711, married Sarah Wade, of Ipswich, 1729, and died
1777. He had a large family. Of his children, Thomas and
Jonathan settled in the vicinity of Keene, N. H. ; John, “ Major
Baker,” resided in Topsfield, military officer in the French war
of 1755, and in the Revolution : died 1815 ; Symonds settled in
Andover, where his grandson David Baker, now resides : he was
a physician ; William, the father of Capt. Thomas Baker, re-
cently deceased, settled in Gloucester; Joseph, married Hepsibah
Thorndike of Beverly, where he settled : died 1801 : Innholder,
Collector, Constable, Justice of the Peace, &c. ; Sarah, married
John Balch, jr., a currier, and died Jan. 16, 1831 ; Rebecca, mar-
ried Sylvanus Wilds ; Martha, married Joseph Towne ; Mary,
married Dudley Smith. Sarah Wade, wife of Thomas Baker,
aforesaid, was born May 20, 1711, daughter of Capt. Thomas
Wade, who married Elizabeth Thornton of Boston, Apr. 4, 1700.
His father was Col. Thomas Wade, who married Elizabeth
Coggswell, of Ipswich, Feb. 22, 1670 and died Oct. 4, 1696. He
was son of Jonathan Wade, one of the earliest and of the most
prominent settlers of Ipswich.
Salem Gazette , May 2, 1848.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 97
UNITED STATES MAIL LINE.
Stage leaves Eagle House, Haverhill, every morning at 6
o’clock, passing through Georgetown, Boxford, Topsfield, and
Danvers ; arrives at Depot in Salem in time for 10 o’clock Train
of Cars for Boston.
Keturning leaves Depot at Salem every day, on the arrival of
the 2 1-2 o’clock Train from Boston, and leaves Mansion House,
Salem, 3 1-2 o’clock, passing through the above-named places for
Haverhill.
O^^Office in Boston, City Hotel ; in Salem, Mansion House.
BENJ. HILLIABD, Proprietor and Driver.
Salem Gazette , June 13, 1848.
TOPSFIELD AWAKE.
One of the largest and most spirited meetings ever held in
Topsfield, took place at the Whig Head Quarters, on Thursday
evening last. John G. Hood, Esq., was elected chairman, and
B. P. Adams, secretary. A committee of correspondence was
chosen, consisting of B. P. Adams, Chas. Herrick, Wm. D. At-
kins, R. Phillips, Jr., R. A. Merriam, J. K. Cole, and J. W.
Batchelder. Messrs. J. K. Cole, and Thomas L. Lane were
chosen delegates to the Worcester Convention.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 9, 1848.
TOPSFIELD AWAKING.
We understand that the Whigs of Topsfield had a grand
meeting at the Academy Hall, on Tuesday evening. Dr. R. A.
Merriam presided, and Mr. Upham, the President of the Salem
Taylor Club, delivered an admirable address, which was listened
to with the greatest interest and attention. — Reg.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 29, 1848.
OLD TOPSFIELD AWAKE
The notice for the Taylor Whig Rally for last Tuesday even-
ing, was duly responded to by a crowded house, to hear an ad-
dress from the Rev. C. W. Upham of Salem. The Academy
Hall was crowded to overflowing, all the space being filled with
Taylor men principally, with a few of other sentiments, from
Topsfield and the neighboring towns. The Salem Taylor Glee
Club, favored us with their presence and Glees.
Mr. Upham by his eloquence, richness of diction, fairness of
treatment to all parties, commended the most profound attention
98 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
for two hours, interspersed with two or three songs from the
Club, which contributed not a little to the entertainment. I
have seen no one, friend or foe, who was not deeply impressed
with the commanding eloquence of Mr. Upham, and the per-
formances of the Club were highly gratifying.
Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , Sept 30, 1848.
TOPSFIELD NURSERIES
Premium Trees !
The subscriber respectfully invites his friends and customers
to his large collection of
FRUIT TREES !
embracing nearly all the CHOISEST and MOST APPROVED
KINDS to be obtained — consisting in part of the following
kinds, viz. :
10.000 Baldwin Apple Trees, 2 years old from the bud, being
extra growth ;
5.000 different kinds Apple Trees, 2 years old from the bud,
and most approved ;
1.000 Pear Trees, 2 years old from the bud, 15 different varie-
ties ;
50.000 Seedling Apple Stocks, 2 years old, very prime ;
15.000 Seedling Apple Stocks, 1 year old ;
25.000 Seedling Pear Stocks, 1 year old, very prime ;
400 European Mountain Ash, extra Size.
Also — a good variety of CHERRY, PEACH and PLUM
TREES.
The above Trees received the first premium of the Essex
County Agricultural Society the last year, and will be sold on
reasonable terms.
Topsfield, Oct. 6. W. G. LAKE
Salem Gazette , Oct. 13, 1848.
TOPSFIELD
A meeting of the friends of TAYLOR & FILLMORE will
be held at the Academy Hall, in Topsfield, THIS EVENING,
Nov. 3, at 7 o’clock. Addresses will be delivered by Hon. A.
Huntington and O. P. Lord, Esq.
Topsfield, Nov. 3, 1848.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 3, 1848.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 99
Whig Meeting in Topsfield. — A large and spirited meeting of
the friends of Taylor and Fillmore, was held last evening, in the
Academy Hall. This large and commodious hall was at an early
hour crowded to overflowing, to hear addresses from Mr. North-
end of Danvers, and Mr. Huntington of Salem. They addressed
the meeting with great force and eloquence for more than three
hours. Their speeches were rich in fact, argument, and amusing
illustrations. The meeting broke up with three cheers for Tay-
lor and Fillmore and our speakers.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 4, 1848.
NOTICE. This is to certify that I have sold to my son, Eras-
tus H. Clarke, his time ; and I hereby forbid all persons trust-
ing him on my account, as I shall pay no debts of his contracting.
SAMUEL CLARKE.
Topsfield, Jan. 12th, 1849.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 12, 1849.
An attempt was made to rob the store of Mr. Paul Pearson, of
Pearson’s Mills Village, Newbury, early last Monday morning.
The Newburyport Herald says three persons were discovered in
the act of putting goods from the store into a sleigh. Messrs.
Elbridge Tenney and Wm. Pearson, having been informed of the
fact, proceeded to the spot, and after a sharp conflict, succeeded
in obtaining possession of the horse and sleigh, the robbers hav-
ing fledj
In the conflict, Mr. Tenney received a severe wound in the
hand with a knife. Three young men named Shaw, Mallory,
and Purrington have been arrested on suspicion of being con-
cerned in the robbery.
These individuals had their examination on Tuesday morning,
before Justice Marston. After the examination had proceeded
at some length, Purrington, one of the prisoners, turned evi-
dence for the state, and testified that he hired a horse and sleigh
at Mr. G. Boardman’s and together with Shaw and Mallory went
to Ipswich, where they broke into the depot, and from thence
they went to Topsfield, where they broke into a store, but took
nothing. Then they went to the place of the robbery.
The prisoners were also indicted for breaking into the store in
Topsfield, but the facts did not weigh in the minds of the Court.
The Court required the prisoners, Shaw and Mallory, to give
bonds in the sum of $600 each for their appearance in the Court
of Common Pleas, to be holden at Salem in March next for fur-
ther trial. In default of bail they were committed.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 19, 1849.
100 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Among the appointments made by the President and Senate
was that of Asa W. Wildes (born in Topsfield) to be Surveyor
of the Port of Ipswich.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 2, 1849.
At a meeting held Peb. 5th, Charles Herrick of Topsfield was
chosen one of the Directors of the Essex Mechanics Mutual Fire
Insurance Co. of Salem.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 6, 1849.
A FARM FOR SALE. In Topsfield, seven miles from
Salem, three from Danvers Plains, and one from a stopping place
on the Essex Railroad, on a road from Danvers to Boxford, — con-
taining about one hundred and forty acres, all compact around
the buildings ; a good convenient house and cellars for two fam-
ilies, with seven other buildings : The whole pleasantly situated
with handsome lots of wood near the house, sufficient in growth
to support the fires, young grafted fruit bearing trees, and the
best of fielding. The farm is fenced almost wholly with stone
wall, and is excellently watered with springs and two brooks run-
ning through it.
Inquire of
IRA PORTER on the premises.
Salem Gazette, Mar. 9, 1849.
At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held at
Ipswich this week the petition of Benj. B. Towne and als., for a
road in Wenham, crossing Wenham Swamp towards Topsfield,
was dismissed. It has been decided to lay down the whole of
the Newbury port Turnpike lying in this county, as a highway, —
it being understood that the Middlesex Commissioners will pur-
sue a like course with the residue of said turnpike.
Salem Gazette, May 12, 1849.
The wheelwright shop of Thomas K. Leach, and the dwelling
house of Aaron Kneeland, in Topsfield, were struck by lightning
on Thursday morning. The shop was very much shattered ; the
house was less injured. We are informed that lightning was never
known to strike in the village or Topsfield before this instance.
Salem Gazette, June 2, 1849.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, on the 20th inst., at the house of Mr. B. P.
Adams, Miss Sally Leach, of this city, aged 77.
Salem Gazette, June 21, 1849.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 101
Commonwealth on complaint of Luke Towne vs. Samuel Todd.
This complaint charged against the respondent with an assault
and battery committed on the complainant.
It appeared that on the 21st of December last, a meeting of
the inhabitants of Topsfield was holden for the adoption of
measures to prevent injury from rabid dogs. A motion was made
for an indefinite postponement of the subject. While this motion
was under consideration, the complainant made some observation
that induced the respondent (the moderator of the meeting) to
say to him that he was out of order, and must sit down. Either
I won’t or I shan’t were his words. He was again told by the
moderator, that he must either sit down and keep order, or leave
the house. He said I shan’t do either. He was then told by the
moderator that he should direct the constables to take him from
the house, and detain him until the meeting was over. He re-
plied you can do it. Accordingly the constables were so di-
rected. When the constables were about to take hold of him,
Mr. T. extended his arm towards them, says, hands off, geu tie-
men, I appeal to the town. The moderator says, there is no ap-
peal— or it is too late now to claim an appeal — Constables carry
him out, — carry him out. Whereupon with a constable at each
arm he was conducted from the house — resisting sufficiently to
show clearly that it was against his will. The forcible removal
from the house was the assault and battery charged. The com-
plaint testified that he was slightly injured in his arm and side
by the violence used. Ho question was made as to the correct-
ness of the decision of the moderator, whether Mr. Towne was or
was not in order when he was called to order, and directed to
sit down. If Mr. Towne had then claimed an appeal, the Court
were of opinion that the question should have been submitted ;
and if supported by a majority of votes, it would have been the
duty of the moderator to have yielded thereto. But inasmuch
as no appeal was shown to have been claimed, until peremptory
orders for the removal had been given, it was then the duty of
the moderator to insist upon obedience or removal.
W. D. Northend, Esq., Attorney for the Government
0. P. Lord, Esq., attorney for the Defendant.
Trial was had before J. W. Proctor, Esq. — Danvers Cour.
Salem Gazette} July 14, 1849.
Eire in Topsfield. On Monday night last, an outbuilding,
belonging to Asa Pingree, Esq., near his house, in Topsfield,
was destroyed by fire. Among the contents destroyed were three
chaises, three hundred bushels of corn, two and a half tons of
102 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
fine feed, &c. The dwelling house was in great danger, but was
saved by the efforts of the citizens.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 31, 1849.
DEATHS.
The death of Mrs. H. J. Holmes, of Topsfield, mentioned in
your paper of last week, ought not to pass without some further
notice. Her friends and the circle of her acquaintance, feel a
void which will not soon be filled. The natural powers of her
mind were not more conspicuous than her acquired knowledge.
From an infirmity, under which she had suffered for many years,
she was shut out from the freedom of intercourse with society
which was enjoyed by others. Her conversational powers con-
nected with her extensive reading and brilliancy of intellect,
fitted her in a most remarkable degree for an entertaining com-
panion.
When a little excited by opposition or otherwise, I have been
surprised at the displays of her extemporaneous eloquence. It
has frequently exceeded any thing we ever witnessed in man or
woman. With her command of language, and the many facts
stored up in a very retentive memory, she would frequently
fasten the attention of the listener for almost hours together, as-
tonished at the powers of her oratory. She had obtained by her
own unaided industry the knowledge of several foreign languages.
She read French with great fluency ; her pen was the principal
source of her amusement, and her poetic compositions were, by
no means, small, although her modesty would seldom allow them
to be published. Her benevolence and generosity were proverb-
ial. From her infancy she had imbibed a predilection for Cath-
olicism, professed and embraced it, and died in the full faith.
Her friends deeply feel her loss and all those who had the pleas-
ure of her acquaintance sincerely sympathize with them in their
bereavement. M.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 28, 1849.
Topsfield Delegates to Whig State Convention. — E. S. Bixby
and B. P. Adams. To the Whig County Convention John K.
Cole and John G. Hood.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 29, 1849.
COURT RECORD— C. C. P. at Ipswich.
Monday , Oct. 22. In the case of the complaint against Tops-
field constables, for forcibly ejecting Luke Towne from a town
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 103
meeting under the direction of the Moderator, the Judge inti-
mated that he should rule that if defendants justified under the
direction of the Moderator, he should hold the justification good ;
upon which a verdict for defendants was allowed. 0. P. Lord
for defence.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 26, 1849.
Real and Personal Estate
Will be sold at Public Auction, on MONDAY, the 19th day
of November inst., at 9 o’clock, A. M., at the farm of Col. Porter
Bradstreet, late of Topsfield, deceased.
ALL THE PERSONAL ESTATE
on said Farm — consisting of
STOCK, PRODUCE, &c., viz :
1 valuable Iron Grey Horse ;
2 pair superior Working oxen ;
6 good Cows ;
10 tons good English Hay ;
15 do Stock Hay ;
Lot of Corn Fodder and Rye Straw ;
70 bushels Corn ; 30 do Rye ;
100 do Potatoes
20 barrels Cider ;
10 do Vinegar ;
20 Vinegar Casks ; large size ;
3 Sleighs ; 1 Chaise ; 2 Horse Wagons ;
1 Ox Wagon ; Carts, Sleds ; with all the other Farming Imple-
ment and Tools.
Also — 1 Turning Lathe and Chisels, with various other Car-
penter’s Tools.
Also— about 1500 Apple trees, in the Nursery, budded with the
best kinds of fruit, and of large size, suitable for setting.
After the sale of the Personal Estate, will be sold the Saw
Mill, yard and privilege, and Mill Gearing thereto belonging.
The conditions will be made known at time of sale.
N. B. Should the aboved named day be stormy, the sale will
be postponed to the next fair day.
MEHITABLE BRADSTREET, Executrix.
Topsfield, Nov. 6, 1849.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 9, 1849.
BENJAMIN P. ADAMS, Esq., has been appointed Post-
master of Topsfield, in place of B. C. Orne, Esq., resigned.
Salem Gazette , Jan , 5, 1850.
104 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Centennial. We understand that the people of Topsfield
have it in contemplation to celebrate the two hundredth anni-
versary of the incorporation of that town, during the present
year. The date of incorporation was Oct. 18, 1650. The place
was formerly called Sheweenemeady , or New Meadows, was
granted to inhabitants of Salem and Ipswich at the session of
Nov. 5, 1639, and was settled about this time. The names of
many of the first settlers are yet borne in the town by their
descendants, and not a few men of note claim Topfield as the
place of their nativity. A very interesting celebration may be
anticipated should our Topsfield friends take hold of the matter
with their usual energy and spirit. — Reg.
Salem Gazette} Feb. 12, 1850.
COLLECTOR’S SALE.
The following described real estate, occupied by John W.
Dodge in Topsfield, will be sold by auction, on TUESDAY,
the 12th day of March next, unless the taxes assessed on the
same, by the town of Topsfield, are previously paid : —
Said property consists of one half of a Dwelling House, occu-
pied by said Dodge, as above named, with the Land, under and
adjoining, and a barn adjacent.
I^The Sale will be at the store of Benjamin P. Adams.
THOMAS L. LANE, Collector.
Topsfield, Feb. 19, 1850.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 19, 1850.
Two Hundredth Anniversary at Topsfield. — The citizens of
Topsfield, have had a meeting, and an efficient committee of
seven persons have been chosen to make necessary arrangements.
Nehemiah Cleaveland, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y. has been invited
to deliver an address.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 23, 1850.
COLLECTOR’S SALE.
Will be sold by Public Auction, on SATURDAY, the 30th
day of March instant, at 10 o’clock, A. M., at the store of Benj.
P. Adams, in Topsfield :
SO MUCH of the REAL ESTATE, near the meeting house,
in Topsfield, now in occupation of JOHN W. DODGE, as will
pay, together with the costs of sale and all necessary interven-
ing charges, a tax of $4 65, assessed upon said Dodge.
THOMAS L. LANE.
Topsfield, March 9. Collector of Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 12, 1850.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 105
BY S. S. JOHNSON
Auctioneer and Dealer in Fancy Goods . ... 1J(. Front St.
Valuable Farm at Auction.
Will be sold at Auction, on the premises, on WEDNESDAY,
April 10th, at 2 o’clock, P. M.,
The FARM of the late Nathaniel Porter, situated in Tops-
field, on the road leading from Danvers to Boxford over the
Ipswich river, at Rowley Bridge, so called, containing about 54
acres of excellent land, pleasantly situated, and suitably divided
into tillage and pasturage, well fenced with stone walls, and
well watered. There is a dwelling house and barn upon the
premises. Conditions made known at the sale.
DAVID PORTER,
ALLEN PORTER,
IRA PORTER.
Reference to Ira Porter, Topsfield, or
A. Huntington, Esq., Salem.
Topsfield, Mar. 30, 1850.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 2, 1850.
Topsfield Centennial. Messrs. R. A. Merriam, Wm. Mundy,
W. N. Cleaveland, J. W. Batchelder, J. P. Towne, and Jno G.
Hood, are the Committee chosen by the town to make arrange-
ments for the two hundredth celebration of the incorporation of
Topsfield, which occurs the present year, on Thursday, the 29th
day of August next. An address will be delivered by Nehemiah
Cleaveland, N. Y., and a poem by Miss Hannah F. Gould, of
Newburyport, will be followed by a public dinner, to be enli-
vened by sentiments and speeches. It is hoped that all the
absent sons and daughters of this small but ancient town will
atttend this social home gathering.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 30, 1850.
The Lynn News seconds the proposition for an Essex County
Farm School, to be established near the centre of the County, in
Topsfield, Middleton, or Georgetown, for instance.
Salem Gazette , May 14, 1850.
UNITED STATES MAIL LINE.
Stage leaves Eagle House, Haverhill, every morning, at 6
o’clock, passing through Georgetown, Boxford, Topsfield and
Danvers ; arrives at Depot in Salem in time for 10 1-2 o’clock
Train of Cars for Boston.
106 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Returning, leaves Depot at Salem every day, on the arrival
of the 2 1-2 o’clock Train from Boston, and leaves Essex House,
Salem, 3 1-4 o’clock, passing through the above named places
for Haverhill.
j^grOffice in Boston, City Hotel ; in Salem, Essex House.
ISAAC PINKHAM, Driver.
Salem Gazette , May 18, 1850.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, 11th inst, Susan Jane, aged 8 years, daughter of
Elizabeth H., and Richard Phillips, Jr. Esq. This is the fourth
child out of a family of five children, which these parents have
been called to follow to the grave within a few years past.
Salem Gazette , July 16, 1850.
Centennial Celebration.
The Inhabitants of TOPSFIELD intend to celebrate, on
Thursday, the 29th of August, the Second Centennial Anniver-
sary of the Town. As there may be persons in other places who
wish to attend r n that occasion, all such are informed that
Tickets for the Dinner, at one dollar each, may be procured until
the 20th inst. at Messrs. W. & S. B. Ives’ Bookstore and of N.
Goldsmith, jr. in Salem, and at Messrs. A. P. Perley & Co’s,
store, at North Danvers. An early application is desirable.
By order of the Committee on Arrangements.
Aug. 6. Salem Gazette , Aug. 6, 1850.
The Topsfield Celebration. Our Topsfield friends are
carrying forward the preparation for their bi-centennial cele-
bration, with great zeal and spirit. The procession is to be
enlivened by a division of “ representatives of ancient modes
and manners,” in which, we presume small-clothes, faithingales,
cocked-up hats and pillions, will make a figure. In the church
besides other appropriate services, an address will be delivered
by Nehemiah Cleaveland, Esq., and an ode will be sung, which
has been written for the occasion by Miss H. F. Gould. Tickets
for the dinner may be obtained in this city, of N. Goldsmith, Jr.,
and at the store of W. & S. B. Ives. We think we can promise
an interesting day, and a hospitable reception to any of our
citizens who may improve this occasion to visit the ancient and
pleasant town of Topsfield. We presume that some of our dealers
in “ horseware ” will make a profitable day’s work, by arrange-
ments to carry passengers back and forth, at convenient hours.
Salem Gazettey Aug . 23, 1850.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 107
Topsfield Centennial Celebration,
Thursday, Aug. 29th.
MARSHALL’S NOTICE.
The public exercises will be held in the Grove on Centennial
Hill, and will begin at a quarter before eleven, A. M. A pro-
cession will be formed on the Common, at 10 o’clock, and will
proceed from thence to the Grove, — where seats are provided, —
to which all ladies are requested to resort and be seated before
the arrival of the procession.
At the close of the public exercises the procession will be
formed again, and will proceed in the following order to the
Pavilion on the Common, where dinner will be served.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Band
Chief Marshal and Aids.
Committee of Arrangements.
President and Orator of the Day.
Officiating Clergymen.
The Clergy.
Visitors, who are natives of Topsfield, or
descended from Topsfield ancestors.
The Officers of the Town.
The Choir.
Representatives of ancient modes and manners.
Citizens present from other towns.
Citizens of Topsfield.
Nath’l Conant
Chief Marshal.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 28, 1850.
The Topsfield Celebration. Yesterday was the two hun-
dredth anniversary of the incorporation of the pleasant, and of
course ancient, town of Topsfield, — or as it was called by the
Indians, before the incorporation of the town in 1650, Sheweene-
meady, and by the whites, New Meadows. Topsfield was settled
by the whites about the year 1642. Among the names of the
first settlers, were, Peabody, Perkins, Clark, Cummings, Brad-
street, Gould, Town, Easty, Smith and Wildes ; many of whose
descendants now cultivate the soil of their progenitors, and have
taken an active part in all the preparations of this festival, of
which we hope to present a full and detailed account at a fujbure
day. We have only time now to say that the weather was
108 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
delighful beyond compare. The people of all the neighboring
towns flocked in to do honor to the occasion. They were received
with warm hospitality.
The services of the occasion were under the shade of trees, on
the side of a beautiful hill. The oration, by N. Cleaveland,
Esq., was a performance of unsurpassed eloquence and ability.
The festivities in the tent were heightened by all the charms
which beauty, intelligence, patriotism, and historical sentiment
can give to such an occasion. About a 1000 persons of both
sexes were assembled at the table, spread by the skill and expe-
rience of Mr. Wright. Dr. Huntington, ex-mayor of Lowell, pre-
sided, and several speeches were delivered.
In the procession, and on the ground were several very striking
memorials of the olden time — particularly three or four couples,
in the ancient pilgrim costume, such as marked the higher con-
ditions of life, full wigs, three cornered hats, immense ruffles
on breast and wrists, hoods, knee buckles, and the like. The
wives rode on pillions behind their husbands, in the procession.
There was among other things, a curious display of ancient New
England implements of agriculture.
In short Topsfield did the thing in a style never surpassed,
and none who participated in the celebration will cease to re-
member it with pleasure.
The following Ode, was written for the occasion by Miss H.
F. Gould and sung in the grove :
The wilderness was deep and drear,
And mind a savage wild ; —
Chaotic darkness brooded here,
O’er man, the forest-child.
The Spirit, by our fathers, moved
Upon the face of Night,
When dawned the Day, that since hath proved
Two hundred years of light !
Then did a new-creation glow
With Order’s primal rays,
While here the sons of God below
First sang Jehovah’s praise.
The desert opened like a flower
Unfolding to the sun :
And great the work, for every hour,
Two hundred years have done !
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 109
The earth, beneath the genial sway
Of Culture’s wand, unsealed
The wealth that in her bosom lay, —
Her quickening powers revealed.
But richer — purer — unconfined
To time or earthly sphere,
The spirit gems — the wealth of mind
With lineal birthright here.
Behold the civil beauty shed
In wide survey around ; —
The fields with summer’s beauty spread ; —
The hills with harvest crowned !
While finite eye must fail to trace
The shining marks of soul,
That, dating this its starting-place,
Has fixed in Heaven the goal !
To-day upon the spot we stand
Where kneeled our Sires of yore,
Imploring blessings for the land
When they should be no more.
To this they bore the ark of God,
And left it to their heirs ;
They left our Priest the budding rod
That blossoms now, and bears.
And while in yonder quiet graves
Their hallowed ashes rest,
Their children, moving as the waves,
Still guard their dear bequest.
And lo ! in joyous bands we come,
Our votive wreaths to twine —
As brethren to a father-home —
Round Memory’s sacred shrine.
We come their honored names to bless,—
Their story to prolong,
Who startled here the wilderness
With Zion’s pealing song ;
While, bending o’er the battlement
Of Heaven, they now behold
The spot whereto their footsteps bent
In earthly days of old.
110 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
To that illustrious ancestry
Well sing aloud our claim,
While marching to eternity
In their Redeemer’s name.
Two hundred years of Gospel beams,
Diffusing joy and peace,
Have here been poured in swelling streams
Of glory ne’er to cease !
Salem Gazette , Aug, 30, 1850.
TOPSFIELD CELEBRATION.
The solemnity, already more than once announced in our pa-
per— the commemoration of the Second Centennial of Topsfield —
took place on Thursday the 29th inst. The day was fine and
most auspicious for the occasion. At an early hour, every ave-
nue leading to the village, was alive with vehicles and with trav-
ellers, all conveying and hastening to the interesting scene. At
10 o’clock, a procession was formed on the common near the
Meeting House, and proceeded under the direction of Chief Mar-
shall Conant, to the house of Capt. William Munday where it
was joined by the President and Orator of the day and by in-
vited guests. The procession then passed under a white arch,
neatly ornamented with evergreens, and inscribed with leafy let-
ters, “ Centennial Hill.” We now found ourselves in a green
lane, which soon brought us to a smooth and open lawn, in the
centre of which rose the beautiful mound, which is henceforth to
bear the name of “ Centennial Hill.” It is a conical elevation of
remarkable regularity, covered to the top, though not densely,
with oak trees. From a staff, which rose high above the tallest
of these the nation’s banner was waving in the breeze. Upon the
north side of this charming mound, we found a spectacle of ex-
traordinary animation and beauty. Upon seats which began at
the base and reached about half way up the hill, were seated some
fifteen hundred ladies. On the outside of these, and reaching
quite to the summit, and far around the convexity, were proba-
bly as many more, a mingled throng, standing or reclining on the
green sward. In front of this vast assemblage, stood the speak-
er’s rostrum, on a small stage. This little structure was a most
interesting object. Its verdant decorations, beautifully relieved
upon a ground of spotless white, could be the work only of deli-
cate fingers, guided by woman’s unerring eye. A tablet in front
bore, in large letters, the words, “ New Meadows, 1639 — Tops-
field, 1650.” Directly below this tablet, stood an object of no
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. Ill
common interest — an old oak pulpit. A white tablet in front,
told its story. Upon this was written in letters of bright purple
amaranth, the names ‘ Capen,’ * Emerson’ and the dates ‘ 1703-
1759.’ This relic of the third meeting house in the place, built
147 years ago, and taken down 91 years since, had been care-
fully preserved by Deacon George Bixby andRis son. Behind it
stood a high-backed oaken chair, which once stood, as the orator
informed us in the course of his address, in that same old pulpit.
The choir was stationed about half-way up the mound and was
under the direction of that excellent singer and chorister, Mr.
William Hubbard, now of this city, but a native of Topsfield.
The first exercise of the day was a voluntary by the choir, sung
with much spirit and effect. The piece selected was a very good
anthem, composed fifty years ago, in Topsfield, by that once cel-
ebrated singer and teacher, Jacob Kimball. The Rev. Mr. At-
kinson, of the Methodist church in Topsfield, then read appro-
priate selections from the Scriptures. The bible used was
printed in 1599 and has probably been in Topsfield 200 years.
Rev. J. Augustine Hood of Middleton, next read a psalm writ-
ten for the occasion by Rev. George Hood, of Southport, New
York, a native of Topsfield, and set to music by his brother, Mr.
Jacob Hood, of this city.
Tune — New Meadows.
0 all ye people, praise the Lord
For all his matchless love and grace;
For true and faithful is his word,
To all the tribes of Adam’s race.
Amid the bold adventurous host,
Our Fathers sought this distant land,
And chose this spot, our pride and boast,
As home for their true hearted band.
With prowling beasts, and savage men,
In faith and hope, they dauntless stood ;
Then sung their anthems yet again,
And rear’d their altars to their God.
Nerv’d by a living faith, they rose
O’er ills, and toils, and dangers dire ;
Disease, nor death, nor savage fees,
Could quench the fervor of their fire.
112 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
They toil’d and pray’d ; we Lord are blest.
To Thee, O God, shall praise be given
Prepare us now, by Sovereign grace,
To meet our sainted Sires in heaven.
There we will render ceaseless praise,
To Thee, our fathers', and our God,
To thee, blest Spirit, chant our lays,
And Thee, Divine, Incarnate Word.
The Rev. Mr. McLoud, of the Congregational Society, then in-
voked the blessing of Heaven, in a short but most appropriate
prayer. Benj . A. Gould, Esq., of Boston, next read an ode written
for the occasion by his sister, Miss Hannah F. Gould, of Newbury-
port, who was present ; a portion of which was sung by the choir,
to the tune of 1 Topsfield,’ another of Mr. Kimball’s productions.
The address was delivered by Nehemiah Cleaved and, Esq.,
of Brooklyn, Hew York, eldest son of the late Dr. Cleaveland of
Topsfield. The speaker commanded the deeply interested atten-
tion of more than three thousand people, for the space of nearly
two hours. He fully met the high expectations of the audience,
and the magnitude of the occasion. Every one was delighted.
The Hon. Mr. Upham, in his speech at the dinner, remarked
that, for eloquence, learning, research, humor, beauty and power,
the discourse was unsurpassed.
Judge Cummings, and Benj. A. Gould, Esq., spoke of it in
similar language, and the enthusiastic responses to these encom-
iums showed that the speakers uttered but the general sentiment
of the assembled multitude. If the orator was fortunate in hav-
ing so rich a history for his theme, Topsfield was fortunate in
having such an orator to illustrate her history. It is of course
quite impossible to give more than a brief and imperfect sketch
of this able and elaborate discourse.
After an eloquent exordium, Mr. Cleaveland touched upon the
aboriginal traditions of the place, once called by its savage occu-
pants, She-we-ne-me-dy, and by their European successors,
New Meadows, and afterwards incorporated by the name of
Topsfield. The latter name was given, not as many suppose, on
account of the hills which enclose the valley, but in grateful re-
membrance of Topsfield or Topesfield in England, from which
place some of the early settlers undoubtedly came. The anti-
quity of the original Topsfield was ingeniously traced to the time
of the Cesars. The corporation of Topsfield is 200 years old,
but the first settlement is several years older, dating back as far
probably as 1635.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 113
Mr. C. then went into an interesting investigation of the an-
cient history of the town. It was no dry detail of statistics, but
a most animating and inspiring narrative, flowing on with spark-
ling humor, touching pathos and eloquence, and a still widening
channel to the close.
With a masterly power, the departed generations were made
to pass before us in living reality. We saw the venerable forms
of Bradstreet (the Governor) , of Gould, and of Peabody, and
Perkins, of Capen, Emerson, Breck, and Huntington ; and we
seemed to be carried back to the generations to which they be-
longed.
Some sketches of characters, customs, and scenes within the
memory of most persons present, were conceived in the happiest
vein of chastened humor. The effect of the whole was eminent-
ly salutary ; its moral tone was pure and elevated, and was well
adapted to stimulate all who heard it to noble aims, and more
vigorous endeavors in the great work of life. We are glad to
hear that the discourse is to be published. It will be a valuable
contribution to the local history of New England.
During the delivery of this long discourse, the vast audience
was remarkably quiet and attentive.
At the close of the address, the Rev. E. L. Cleaveland, origin-
ally of Topsfield, and now of New Haven, Ct., read an original
hymn, which was sung to Old Hundred, by the choir and the im-
mense congregation.
Here, mid the dense, brown, sylvan shade,
Humbly the banded exiles stood ;
Here, to the One Supreme they prayed,
Here, with loud anthems shook the wood.
Stout were their hearts and strong their hands,
And fast the towering forest fell ;
Soon gleamed the day on cultured lands,
Soon waved with corn each upland swell.
Then came the pious task to rear
Meet shrines, Benignant Power, for Thee ;
Schools free as air were founded here,
And Law, and sacred Liberty.
O Thou, whose arm, all powerful, bore
Those pilgrims o’er the storm-swept sea,
And helped them plant along this shore,
These homesteads of the brave and free :
114 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
Here, where our fathers hymned thy name,
List to their grateful children’s praise,
And still be ours the heavenly flame,
That warmed their hearts in olden days.
The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Samuel Gould, a
native of Topsfield, now of Boothbay, Me. Upon or around the
stage we noticed many men of mark from other parts of Essex
County. The venerable Mr. Braman of Rowley, Mr. Kimball of
Ipswich, Dr. Dana of Newbury port were there. There also were
the Rev. Messrs. Worcester, Milton, Braman, Field, Thatcher,
Taylor, &c., Rev. Asa Cummings of Portland, Me., Nathaniel
Lord, Esq., the aged Register of Probate, Hon. Mr. TJpham and
Judge Perkins of Salem, Hon. Mr. Dodge of Hamilton, and
many others not less honorable.
The procession was again formed, and marched down as far as
the house of John Cleaveland, Esq., of New York, when it
wheeled and countermarched, thus giving all an opportunity to
see the whole procession. And it was well worth seeing. The
long line of respectable citizens, with their wives, and sons, and
daughters, was garnished near its centre by a singular spectacle.
There were three young men on horseback, dressed in the cos-
tume of 1600, each having on a pillion behind him, a comely
companion, similarly arrayed. Others followed in tri-cornered
hats, with vast, bushy wigs, and other articles of antiquated garb.
One individual seemed to be on his way to mill, for he had on
his horse’s back, two large bags, apparently of corn. Another
was evidently bound for market, being mounted, and having on
either side, a large pannier. We saw one lady whose costume
of antiquated splendor, and whose immensely deep bonnet, drew
much observation. This antique cavalcade was succeeded by an
old dobbin of a horse driven by Mr. Edward Hood, drawing a
wagon load of relics. — It contained a side-board, said to have
belonged to Governor Bradstreet, an ancient oak chest made in
1685, with the original date upon it, an old winnowing fan, a
large samp mortar, several snow shoes, some of the implements
once used in the dressing of flax, and various agricultural tools,
of the most ponderous and uncouth character.
The dinner tables were set beneath a pavilion erected on the
common. Though provision was made for about 800 guests,
nearly every seat was occupied. Directly over the President’s
seat, we noticed the old Indian name of the place, — She-we-ne-
me-dy. Beneath this were arranged several articles, suggestive
of the times when wild beasts and savages were the sole tenants
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 115
of the Topsfield woods. Two pairs of moose horns (one pair very
large), from Mr. Frank Curtis’ collection of trophies ; numerous
arrow-heads, and stone tools of the aborigines — lent by Major
Poore of Indian Hill — and a long halberd, once carried by a
Topsfield officer, in the Indian wars, and brought down from
Amherst, N. H., by Mr. Peabody, who is one of that officer’s de-
scendants.
Hr. E. Huntington of Lowell, eldest son of the Rev. Asahel
Huntington, formerly minister of Topsfield was the President of
the day. The Rev. Asa Cummings of Portland, Me., the descen-
dant of a Topsfield man craved a blessing. When due justice
had been done to the liberal provisions on the table, the Presi-
dent, after a few happy remarks, by way of introduction, pro-
ceeded to read the regular sentiments. The first was as follows :
“ This day of our solemnities, bright with memories of the
Past, — with contemplations of the present — and with hopes of
the Future.” After the second toast, which was a compliment
to the old county of Essex, the President put it upon Mr.
Upham of this city to reply, which he did, in a strain of prompt
and felicitious remark. He supposed that he had been called on
to respond to the sentiment, because he happened to be one of
the representatives of the county in the State Senate. He had
been invited to attend the celebration, but should have come,
had it been otherwise, for he took a deep interest in such meet-
ings, and in the object which brought them together. He
alluded very happily to Topsfield as being the heart of the
county, and said he had early acquired an interest in its history,
while investigating the story of the witchcraft delusion. He
dwelt, for a moment, with much eloquence on the admirable
character and melancholy fate of Mary Easty, a Topsfield woman,
who was hung in that dreadful time. The importance of gather-
ing up and preserving the fragments of tradition and history yet
within our reach, was strongly urged. He alluded to the state-
ments of the orator, in regard to the votes and acts of Topsfield,
at the time, and before the time of the Revolution, as showing
what such investigations always have showed, the high and
determined spirit of the people, in those days. But we will not
do injustice to his remarks by any further attempt to report them.
The next toast, happily introduced by an allusion to the old
pronunciation of the name of the most precious metal, accom-
panied with the remark that we have no need to search for it in
California, as there is plenty of it in Topsfield, was as follows :
“The Gould of Topsfield — It was a rich vein at first — it has
borne working well — and it still yields sterling ore.”
116 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
This was responded to by Benj. A. Gould, Esq., of Boston,
who said, that though not born in Topsfield, he received the
rudiments of his education there. He alluded in terms of high
eulogy to his old teacher and minister, the Rev. Asahel Hunting-
ton. He referred to his brave ancestor, Lieut. John Gould, who
was imprisoned in the time of Andros, for his bold speaking, —
a circumstance which had been alluded to in the Address, and
in regard to which he stated some additional particulars. He
referred also to his grandfather, John Gould, who was, for
nineteen eventful and successive years the representative of
Topsfield in the General Court — and to his own father, Capt.
Benj. Gould, of Topsfield, who took part in the events of the
19th of April and of the 17th of June, 1775, and commanded a
company at West Point at the time of Arnold’s defection. Mr.
Gould concluded with a sentiment complimentary to the orator
of the day.
Mr. Cleaveland, being thus called upon, replied, that after
having occupied so large a share of the day, he supposed he
might be excused if he should not say a word, — but in grateful
acknowledgment of the flattering manner in which he had been
alluded to, he would offer one or two thoughts. Mr. Cleaveland,
then addressing the President, in a playful and amusing strain
of remark, observed, — we little thought, sir, of such a scene as
this, when, in the little red school- house just referred to by the
last speaker, we made our first assaults on the English lan-
guage— nor when we used, at recess, to run up to the old Capen
house for a drink of water — nor when we robbed the meeting
house of its gravel, and carried it in our aprons to build piers
in the pond, in order to accomodate the navigation of that great
inland lake — nor when we fished with pin-hooks in the brook —
nor when, on Saturday afternoons, we started off with our birch
baskets on our arms, to pick whortleberries in the old parsonage
grounds ; indeed, little did we think of anything ahead.
“ No thought had we of ills to come,
No cares beyond the day.”
After a few more remarks, Mr. C. repeated a couple of stanzas
from the poems of Miss Gould, as happily expressive of the
emotions naturally excited on such an occasion.
He then said it was not uncommon on such occasions, to call
for either a song or a story. He had attempted to tell his story,
and he would give them the song. He then read with much
effect the song which follows, premising that it was written by
one who if not a daughter of Topsfield, is yet a daughter-in-law,
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 117
and who could not, in his opinion, better have appreciated the
proprieties of the occasion, had she even been a lineal descen-
dant from old Zach Gould himself.
We the relics of ages, have here met together,
To say how d’ye do ? to the past ;
And to stop for discourse, Sir, Old Time, in his course, Sir,
Who once, did not travel so fast.
Then he’d pause on his walk, just to gossip and talk,
As he shook a few sands from his glass ;
Now he travels by steam, shouting out with a scream,
“ Clear the track, for my engine to pass ! ”
Come ! just throw off your steam ; tackle on your old team ;
And jog on in the foot-path today.
We have met for “a talk : ” put your steeds on a walk,
For, indeed, we’ve a great deal to say.
We’ve no victories to boast, and no heroes to toast,
Save the victors of plough shares and flail :
The weapons we wield, leave no stain on the field,
And no cheek in our warfare grows pale.
Well ! as matters of pride, what have we, beside
Our sires, and our sons, and our soil ?
We have mothers, and wives, the best gifts of our lives.
Sent to soften and cheer all our toil.
We have no railroads here, commanding to “ clear
Off the track, with your cart and your team ! ”
No thousand mile wire comes to us with its fire,
More fleet than the sun’s swiftest beam.
Our brook flows on still, just to carry our mill,
And our mill, like our swine, is corn-fed ;
Our girls work with their mothers, and live with their
brothers,
And are to home industry bred.
They bloom and they toil, on their own native soil,
Shedding beauty and fragrance around,
And no lovelier display, than we see here to-day,
Could in court or in city be found.
118 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
’Tis true, they’re not drest in their “ blue homespun best,”
Once worn more for comfort than show,
Our fair modern Jenny — is no spinning Jenny,
And our maids are no milk-maids, you know.
Our swains are no more, as their grandsires of yore,
Clad in home-spun from head to the heel ;
They have broadcloth for Mondays, as well as for Sundays,
Without mother to spin or to reel.
Our boys too are shod — but their forefathers trod
The green-sward with feet bare and free ;
They could go to a husking without a light buskin,
Or their trousers strapped tight o’er the knee.
They could catch the old mare, and mounting back-bare,
Trot off to the mill and the store,
And like Gilpin would ride, with a jug on each side,
And a long bag of corn on before.
They’d a very good rule, Sir, which was taught them at
school, Sir,
Along with their A and their B ;
When they met with their betters, those small men of
letters,
How to bend both the head and the knee.
Time keeps jogging along, while I halt in my song,
Our Pegasus nags are both lame.
I will take off my weight, he may “ gang his ain gate,”
’Tis hard his wild coursers to tame.
We have had a good meeting, and a right hearty greeting,
With kinsfolk, acquaintance, and friends,
So we part not in sadness, but look forward with gladness
To a meeting that shall never end.
The following toast succeeded : — “ We furnish you to-day,
neither mint julips nor anise cordial : — charge us not with
neglecting the weightier matters of the Law if we pay our tithe
of cumin”
This brought up Judge Cummins, a native of Topsfield, who
addressed the meeting at some length, in a strain of tender and
touching remark. He said he had come hither to see the friends
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 119
of his youth. But where had he found them ? For the most
part, among the dead. He described with much tenderness, his
visit, that morning to the family burying-ground — dwelt upon,
and commended the increased attention, now paid to rural cem-
eteries. He urged with much effect, the superior value of moral
improvement, as compared with that, which is merely intellec-
tual. He closed with a eulogistic description of his early min-
ister and instructor, the Rev. Mr. Huntington, and advised all
the people, who would like to know what sort of man he was, to
read, in the ‘ Deserted Village’ of Goldsmith, that inimitable
description of the village parson.
At this point, the President of the Day was compelled to
leave, and called Mr. N. Cleaveland to the chair.
The next toast was as follows : “ Lieutenant Francis Peabody
— The patriarchal head of a mighty host. There have been few
armies better officered.”
The President, after waiting a few moments, remarked that
as every descendant of the old Lieutenant, seemed disposed to
dodge, he would call upon a gentleman whom he saw at the
Table, who though his name might seem to justify dodging,
was never known to Dodge any responsibility.
This called to his feet the Hon. Allen W. Dodge, of Hamilton,
who stated, that since he had been here, he had almost made up
his mind to become a native of Topsfield. After expressing his
high satisfaction with all the performances of the occasion, he
spoke of the Topsfield farmers, as ranking among the best and
most intelligent in the County, and alluded with much felicity,
to the ancient implements of husbandry, in Mr. Hood’s old
wagon, and remarked upon the difficulties under which the
farmers of former days labored in the hard task of subduing the
soil, and concluded with a sentiment complimentary to the
Topsfield farmers.
The next toast was this : “ The descendants of Mr. William
Perkins. They have reason to be proud of their ancestors —
and he would not blush, could he now behold his sons.”
The President stated that it had been expected that Judge
Perkins, of Salem, a lineal descendant of the old settler, named
in the toast, would be present and address us in reply. But
instead of being here — he had sent an interesting epistle, full
of good thoughts and wishes and concluding with this toast :
“ The early Puritan settlers of Topsfield. May their descendants
this day assembled to venerate their memory, imbibe a fresh
and copious draught of their spirit — and may the dawn never
harbinger the day, when that spirit shall become extinct.”
120 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
“ The Law Officer for Essex County : a son of Topsfield, —
long and well approved by all the friends of order and good
morals. We never heard the others praise him.
‘ What rogue e’er felt the halter draw
With good opinion of the law !’ ”
The gentleman, here referred to, who was present a short
time before the toast was given, is supposed to have received
some sudden and imperative call on official business, for no
answer came to the sentiment.
“ The mothers and daughters of our town, with their sisters
from elsewhere, who grace our festival to-day : They belong to
that moiety of the human family, which was once toasted, some-
where hereabouts, as ‘ the Fair Sect.’ If the adhesion to them
sectarianism, then we are all sectarians .”
“ She-we-ne-me-dy, and the symbols which remind us of our
tawny predecessors. We would like to hear , as well as see sorne-
from Indian Hill .”
Major Ben. Perley Poore then favored the company with some
easy and happy remarks. He began by intimating that the
President must have forgotten some portion of his experience,
when at Dummer Academy, or he would not now have called
upon him to say anything. His business he said, was that of a
reporter, rather than of a maker of speeches. He alluded to the
Indian relics which he had contributed, and spoke of those brave
old hunters and warriors to whom those relics once belonged.
He spoke of the occasion and of the display which he had wit-
nessed, and intimated that it compared favorably with anything
which he had witnessed in other and older portions of the world.
A sentiment, complimentary to the hills and the sons, the vales
and the daughters of Topsfield, concluded his remarks.
“ Topsfield Farmers. Through all the past, they have been a
valiant and sturdy race. May their sons, through all the future,
maintain the habits, the principles, and the virtues which made
their fathers so respectable.”
Deacon Joel Peabody of Topsfield, responded. He said he
would not contend that the present farmers of Topsfield, are as
sturdy as their fathers — that they are not as valiant , remains to
be proved. He showed how the sons might realize the wish
expressed in the sentiment, namely : by cherishing habits of
industry and virtue, by the cultivation and improvement of their
minds, and by showing the same high regard for religion, which
distinguished their ancestors.
“ The early Batchellers of Topsfield : we of the present day
may congratulate ourselves that their name and their practice
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 121
were not co-incident.” Jacob Batchelder, Esq., of Lynn, being
summoned to reply, amused and interested the company, for a
few moments, by an account of the perplexity which he had
experienced that morning on his first arrival in town. He sup-
posed himself to be on the right road and near the village, when
a large flag stretched over the way seemed to intimate that he
was in a place called New Meadows. While he was deliberating
what to do, he saw another inscription, which re-assured him
and he went forward. The next thing that puzzled him, was
the crowd of people, which he saw in the street. The Topsfield,
which he knew, contained only eight or nine hundred inhabi-
tants. The place he was now in, must have many thousands.
Pretty soon he encountered a number of persons, who from the
style of their hats, and wigs and dress, must certainly belong to
some earlier period of the world. Had the generations, long
departed, come again upon the stage ? Fortunately, his doubts
were at length resolved by meeting several old faces and famil-
iar friends. He ended by a pleasing allusion to an incident in
the life of the famous Mungo Park, who, when asked by an
African woman, why he consulted his little pocket compass,
replied, “ Because it always points to where my mother lives.”
He thought that many long absent sons of Topsfield, whom he
saw before him, and who had come from states far distant and
widely remote must have been guided by some such little index
to their mother-home.
The President held up a small brass box, which he said once
belonged to Polin* Wildes, whose name occurs among the earliest
settlers of the town. Mr. Wildes was a surveyor, and was often
employed in this and the other provinces. The little box — like
that to which the last speaker had alluded, contained a compass
— and had undoubtedly been the companion and guide of the old
surveyor in many a trackless forest. The following toast was
then read.” The compass, which guided through these wilds,
the first of the Wildeses. Thanks to those hardy pioneers,
their posterity requires no such aid.” The Wildeses were here
called on to speak — but the call did not seem to be heard. “ Thom-
as Perkins, the first of Topsfield. Of his numerous, prosperous
and widely-spread descendants, there must be some one here,
who can speak for the family.” Horatio N. Perkins, Esq., of
Boston, came forward to this call. He told us that he claimed
the honor of a descent from that good Deacon Thomas Perkins.
That his grandfather removed from Topsfield, at a time when it
had become comparatively old, into the woods of Maine, settling
*John? — Editor.
122 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPST1ELD.
in a place which had then no name, but which afterwards became
Kennebunk Port ; he spoke of the pleasant visits, which he had
heretofore made in Topsfield, to look up the homes of his remote
ancestors, and to learn something of their history, and concluded
with an appropriate sentiment.
Topsfield Manufacturers —
A stirring, thriving set are they,
Who e’er caught them a napping ?
Or passed their busy shops by day,
And did not hear their tapping ?
“ Our country ? its population, which in 1650 consisted of a
few thousands, has swelled to many millions. The small de-
pendent colonies of that day have grown into a great nation ;
scarcely inferior to any other in numbers and power, — second
to none, in the better elements of prosperity, intelligence, good
government, and true liberty. In view of a past and present so
astounding, will any imagination venture to conceive what will
be the grandeur and glory of Xorth America, a century hence !
May prosperity attend the old town of Topsfield ! God save the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and long preserve the Union. ”
In the course of these exercises, a fine ode written by Mrs. S.
D. Peabody, of Topsfield, and also a glee, were sung by a quar-
tette, consisting of Messrs. W. R. Hubbard, B. Whitmore, G. H.
Smith, M. Horn.
ODE — By Mrs. S. D. Peabody.
As children long from home away,
Hail the glad jubilee,
Which finds them all in fair array,
Beneath the old roof-tree : —
So we to-day rejoicing come,
Kindred and friends to greet,
And give affection’s tear to some,
We would, but cannot, meet.
Here, where our happy childhood sped,
’Till graver years drew on,
And, ’till as varying fortunes led,
We parted, one by one.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 123
Here — where amid primeval shades,
But not of classic fame,
Our sires, from England’s blooming glades,
To toil and trial came —
Here meet we— glad, a day’s brief space
To give to auld lang syne, —
And o’er our fathers’ resting place,
A garland green to twine.
Those fathers’ memory we bless,
Oft as we hear the tale,
Whose hands transformed a wilderness
To this delightful vale.
Yet, chiefly, that from them we gain,
Through each successive age,
A lineage without a stain, —
Our noblest heritage.
Their glory this — a virtuous name !
Earth has no richer crown :
Spotless to us the honor came,
Such, let us pass it down.
The last exercise was an original song by a native of Topsfield
sung to the air of auld lang syne, by Mr. B. Whitmore. An
immense number joined in the chorus, and produced a highly
inspiring influence.
Song.
I’ll sing a song of other days,
A tale of ancient time
Come brothers, all, the chorus raise,
And lift a shout sublime.
For auld lang syne, to-day,
For auld lang syne,
W e’ve gathered and we’ll chant a lay
Of auld lang syne.
Praise to our sires, the axe who swung,
First on the wooded plains,
While wide the forest round them rung.
And hills replied again.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
For auld lang syne, come out,
For auld lang syne,
And celebrate the woodsmen stout,
For auld lang syne.
In vaiu, was bent the red man’s bow,
In vain his arrow sped,
For soon repulsed, the savage foe
To wilds remoter fled.
For auld lang syne again,
For auld lang syne
We sing those sturdy Englishmen
Of auld lang syne.
Long o’er the land which they regained
From Nature’s ruder sway,
Peace, order, justice, freedom reigned,
A bright and tranquil day.
For auld lang syne once more,
For auld lang syne,
We con the pleasing legends o’er
Of auld lang syne.
When dark’Oppression, threat’ning rose,
And Might, usurping, grew, —
Submission base, the choice, or blows,
To arms, our father flew.
For auld lang syne, these strains,
For auld lang syne,
We swell to those who broke our chains,
In auld lang syne.
On Bunker’s hill of glorious name,
And on the Hudson’s side,
And many a deathless field of fame,
They poured their heart’s warm tide.
For auld lang syne, we shed,
For auld land syne,
Our tears above the mighty dead
Of auld land syne.
Long may the rights those heroes won
From Power’s reluctant hand,
Un marred descend from sire to son,
The glory of our land.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 125
For auld lang syne to-day,
For auld lang syne,
We’ve gathered and we’ve sung our lay
Of auld land syne.
The singing, both in the grove and in the Pavilion, was exe-
cuted in admirable style. The Salem Band under the direction
of Mr. Morse, performed their part, in the march, at the grove,
and in the Pavilion, to the full satisfaction of all. The thanks
of the Assembly were voted with great seeming cordiality to
the Committee of Arrangements, (Messrs. Merriam, Cleave-
iand, Munday, Batchelder, Hood and Towne), and well did they
deserve the tribute. The unqualified satisfaction, expressed by
all, whether citizens or strangers, in the entire proceedings of
this delightful day, unmarred as they were by a single distur-
bance or failure, is the highest testimony, which could be paid
to the arrangements of the committee, so well carried out by the
chief marshall and his aids and assistants.
In the course of the proceedings, it was announced that an-
swers had been received from several gentlemen to whom letters
of invitation had been sent. We have room to give only the
names of these gentlemen. The Rev. Josiah Peabody of Erzroom
in Persia, Hon. Daniel Breck, member of the present Congress
from Kentucky, Rev. George Hood, Southport, N. Y., Rev.
Jonas Merriam, Barnerd, Me., H. Cleaveland Bradstreet, Roches-
ter, H. Y. all of whom are natives of Topsfield. One also from
Rodney Gove Dennis, of Grafton, Mo., formerly a minister in
Topsfield, and one from Hon. Daniel A. White of Salem.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 3, 1850.
Assistant Marshall. Thos. L. Lane, of Topsfield, has
been appointed Assistant Marshall, to take the census in Tops-
field and Middleton.
Salem Register , Aug. 22, 1850.
For the Register.
Celebration in Topsfield. Thursday next, the 29th of
August, will be a day of much interest to the citizens of Tops-
field, who will then celebrate the Second Centennial Anniversary
of the Incorporation of the Town. Many of their kindred and
friends, from Salem and elsewhere, will be present to enjoy the
festivities of the occasion ; and as there is no regular mode of
conveyance thence from this city, by which persons can go and
return on the same day, the writer would suggest, to those who
126 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
may be interested, that a coach, or perhaps a number of coaches,
to leave Salem at an early hour on the morning of the 29th, and
to return after the celebration shall have closed, might be well
freighted with passengers, if they should be provided for the
occasion, and seasonable notice of the fact advertised in the city
papers. Will not some of the owners of coaches attend to this
matter ? Y.
Salem Register , Aug. 22, 1850.
Conveyance to Topsfield.
Mr. S. Spaulding, proprietor of the North Danvers Stage,
states that he will take passengers to Topsfield, THIS MORN-
ING, at a quarter before 8 o’clock, and at a quarter past 10
o’clock, and will return at the close of the exercises. Fare each
way 50 cents. Passengers will be taken from the Salem Depot,
the Essex House, and the Mansion House.
Salem Register, Aug. 29, 1850.
BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Topsfield, Aug. 29, 1850.
In accordance with a custom which is yearly becoming more
and more popular, a few days ago we embraced the opportunity
of quitting our usual round of daily toil, for a short season of
healthful rusticity among the woods and fields, and rural scenes
of this pleasant town, which we are proud to claim as the place
of our nativity. Eighteen years of absence have only served to
strengthen the memory and enhance the attachment we have
ever felt for this home of our childhood. The bustle and excite-
ment, the pomp and pageantry of city life, have only rendered
more vivid the sentiment so well and so briefly expressed by
Goldsmith —
“ Where’er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart, untravl’d, fondly turns to thee.”
The stirring and extraordinary events of to-day, on whieh we
celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of ' the Incorporation of
the Town, evince to what an extent this feeling pervades the
hearts of the native-born sons and daughters of this ancient
town. At an early hour this morning, vehicles of every descrip-
tion began to pour in from all points of the compass, bringing
hundreds, nay, thousands of men, women and children, eager to
witness and participate in the festivities of the day. The village
presented a spectacle of busy life and bustling activity, such as
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 127
has seldom ruffled the quiet of its peaceful borders. The joyful
greetings of relatives long separated by time and distance, and
the smiling recognition of friends whom no other event would
ever have called together, and many of whom may to-day, for the
last time, have exchanged mutual and heartfelt congratulations,
have given a pleasing and exciting character to the occasion,
which must ever remain fresh in the memory of every one present.
The Indian name of this town, as you are aware, was She-
wee-ne-mea-dy. The land belonged to the tribes of the Aga-
wams, by whose chief it was sold to John Winthrop, eldest son
of Governor Winthrop, in the year 1638 for £20. At the ses-
sion of November 5, 1639, it was granted to the inhabitants of
Salem and Ipswich, and was by the whites called “ New
Meadows.” The place was settled about this time. On the 18th
of October, 1650, it was incorporated as the Town of Topsfield —
a name which was borne by a small village in the county of Essex,
in England, and whose etymology has been traced back, into the
dim ages of the past, no less than 800 years. The anticipatory
celebration of the bi-centennial anniversary, which would prop-
erly occur on the 18th of October next, was rendered necessary
for the accommodation of the orator, as well as desirable on
account of the season.
At 10 o’clock A. M., a procession was formed on the Common,
under the direction of Major Nathaniel Conant, which, pre-
ceded by the music of Morse’s Salem Brass Band, moved through
the village to the grove where the Address was to be pronounced.
The entrance to the grove, from the main road — across which
was stretched the national ensign — was decorated with an arch,
tastefully trimmed with evergreen, and bearing the inscription,
“ Centennial Hill,” formed of oak-leaves. This hill, on land of
Edward Hood, Esq., is a beautiful, semi-circular mound, tolera-
bly shaded with a young growth of forest trees, and on its top,
from an elevated staff, waved the American flag. On a portion
of its eastern side, seats had been erected for the accommodation
of about 1000 persons ; and at its base stood a canopied pavilion,
some 10 feet wide by 12 or 14 high, for the orator and others.
This was trimmed on the outside with the savin shrub, the inside
being lined with white cloth, relieved in the rear by three arches
of oak-leaves, in the centre of each of which was a winter-green
star, encircled in a wreath of evergreen, with bouquets of green
and flowers beneath. The upper front bore the inscription,
New Meadows,
1639
Topsfield
1650
128 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
The whole was surmounted by an iron weather-vane, some 12
inches long by 5 wide, in which the date 1697 was cut. This
ancient indicator of “ the way the wind blows ” was taken from
the second meeting house in the town, erected in the old burial
ground, in 1676. Among the ancient relics that adorned the in-
terior of this pavilion, was the paneled pulpit from which the
Rev. Messrs. Joseph Capen and John Emerson delivered their
gospel messages to our fathers, iu the first church erected on the
Common (three, including the present neat structure, have been
successively built on the same site), from 1703 to 1759. At the
left hand side of the pulpit, supported by an iron rod about 2 1-2
feet long, was its former concomitant the “ hour glass,” which,
in the absence of clocks and watches, was then used to indicate
the passage of time — the sand requiring just one hour to run
from one globe to the other. When the upper section of the
glass was empty, it was reversed by the sexton ; and thus, by the
dropping “ sands of time,” the good parson would regulate the
religious services of the sanctuary. In the rear of the pulpit
stood the same high-back, unstuffed chair that kept it compan-
ionship, in the church mentioned above, for 56 years, and is now
nearly 150 years old.
About 11 o’clock, the procession having arrived at Centennial
Hill — the whole eastern side of which, from base to apex, was
crowded with a dense mass of human beings, to the number of
from two to three thousand — the services were conducted in the
following order, viz. : —
1. Voluntary, by a select choir, including several of the best
vocalists in Salem, under the leadership of Mr. Wm. Hubbard,*
long known in your vicinity as an able and successful teacher of
music.
2. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Atkinson, of the
Methodist church, from a Bible printed in 1599.
3. Original Hymn, by Rev. George Hood,* sung to a tune
composed by Jacob Hood,* Esq., of Salem.
4. Some slight delay being occasioned by altering the loca-
tion of the pulpit, so as to shield the speaker’s face from the
direct rays of a scorching sun, the choir performed another vol-
untary, entitled “ Topsfield.”
5. Prayer, by Rev. Anson McLoud, of the Congregationalist
church.
6. An original ode, by Hannah Flagg Gould of Newbury port.
7. Address, by Nehemiah Cleaveland,* Esq., formerly
preceptor of Hummer Academy, in Byfield, and now a teacher
in Brooklyn, N. Y.
♦Native, but non-resident of Topsfield.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSE1ELD. 129
The address of Mr. Cleaveland was an effort of unsurpassed
ability. Although he has had but one month to investigate the
records of five or six generations, and prepare himself to meet
the demands of the occasion, the result of his labors evinces a
very extensive research, and a careful collation and judicious ar-
rangement of materials, which he has presented in a most able,
eloquent, and interesting manner. For two long hours he en-
chained the attention of that vast audience, in the open air, who
seemed to hang upon his words as if under the influence of a
mighty spell. His address was eminently patriotic, manly and
just ; his enunciation bold, powerful, and clear, though somewhat
rapid. No mere sketch, however faithful, could convey an ade-
quate idea of the whole performance, and we will not do the
orator the injustice to attempt one — especially as the Address is
to be issued in pamphlet form. Its principal divisions embraced
the civil and municipal affairs of the town; its ecclesiastical his-
tory ; its schools and schoolmasters ; its doctors and lawyers ;
the genealogy of the first and most distinguished families of the
town ; its ancient houses ; a consideration of the question
whether we have made any actual advance upon the past ; and a
comparison of the superior privileges and advantages enjoyed by
the people of the present day over those possessed by their
worthy ancestors. The speaker’s occasional attempts at pleas-
antry were peculiarly happy, giving evidence of a rich vein of
satirical humor, in the mental strata of his well cultivated mind,
seldom to be met with. At the same time that these touches
were spicy, and inoffensive, they were, in several instances,
highly complimentary to their subject. The address was not
only instructive, but intensely interesting throughout.
8. An original Hymn, by the orator of the day, sung by the
whole assembly to the tune of Old Hundred, and a Benediction,
closed the services at the grove, at half past 1 P. M.
In honor of native genius and talent, the music performed on
this occasion, except the first and last tunes, was selected from
the works of the late Jacob Kimball, a celebrated teacher and
composer of music, who was born in Topsfield, in February, 1761.
He was a graduate of Harvard University, of the class of 1780.
After completing a course of law studies, he was admitted to
the bar, and pleaded at least one case ; but he relinquished the
pursuit of the law, and devoted himself almost exclusively to
the study and composition of music. In 1793, he published a
volume of sacred music, of 112 pages, entitled the “ Bural Har-
mony,” another in 1800, the “ Essex Harmony,” of 112 pages,
both composed by himself ; as also a manuscript volume of sacred
music never published. He was likewise a disciple of the poetic
130 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
muse, and wrote a volume which he intended for the press ; but
dying soon after, the work fell into stranger hands and was lost.
He died on the 24th of July, 1826, aged 65 years and 5 months.
The procession was re-formed at the grove, whence it pro-
ceeded to a large pavilion on the eastern side of the Common,
where a sumptuous dinner had been provided for some 825 per-
sons, by Mr. John Wright of Boston. But before indulging in
the luxuries of the table, we will take a brief survey of the
procession, which contains some rare and noticeable features.
Prominent among them were three young gentlemen and their
ladies, dressed in the rich and peculiar costume of the wealthier
classes in the early days of New England, and mounted upon
pillions — a mode of equestrian travel on which the march of
civilization has made no improvement. The general paraphena-
lia of the ladies consisted of figured and changeable open silk
dresses, displaying richly wrought and brilliantly colored skirts,
and plain muslin inside handkerchiefs — the sleeves were short,
with double ruffles falling over the elbows, and long mits. Over
the neck and shoulders were thrown small, colored shawls,
trimmed with lace. We believe the bonnet, or hat was of the
cottage style, but of its form we can give no intelligible descrip-
tion. The gentlemen wore long, light coats, breeches with knee-
buckles, wrought shoes with buckles, light-colored, curled wigs,
three-cornered hats, and spectacles. Two or three other gentle-
men were arrayed in the more common dress of the laboring
classes, mounted on horses, with their bags of corn and market
baskets behind them — the mode of “ going to mill ” and market,
before the invention or common use of wagons. In the assembly
on the hill, we noticed a lady dressed in a costly habit, that was
worn 150 years ago.
Following these was a light wagon, containing a variety of
relics, from 100 to 200 years old. Among them was an oak,
paneled side-board, formerly the property of Gov. Simon Brad-
street, who emigrated from England and was an early resident
of Topsfield, and whose dust now reposes in the Charter street
burial-ground, in your city. Also, a paneled oak chest, made in
1685 ; a wooden samp-mortar, in which corn was formerly pre-
pared for samp ; a steel bear-trap ; wool card ; garter loom ; snow
shoes; piggin; wooden rye-cradle; saddle bags; wooden scales,
with stone weights of 1 lb. each ; wooden shovels, bound with
iron, &c. &c. On a long board, conspicuously displayed, were
the following :
A title deed, from “John Gold, jr., and Thomas Gold,” con-
veying about 3,000 acres of land to John Gold, sen., their father,
in 1686.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 131
A printed commission, from “ Wm. Stoughton, Esq., Lieuten-
ant Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majes-
ties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England,” Cap-
tain of the Foot Company of Militia in the Town of Topsfield,
within the County of Essex, dated August, 1696.
A copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed in 1776,
and bought at that time by the late Rev. Daniel Gould, of Tops-
field, a soldier of the Devolution.
A sheet of manuscript poetry, written in 1741, by David
Stanley of this town.
Also two poetical effusions, printed in 1776, and written by
Mr. John Hovey, of Topsfield. The first is entitled, in part,
“ Oppression : A Poem. Or, New-England’s lamentation on the
dreadful Extortion and other sins of the Times.” The other,
“ A Short Account of the Troubles and Dangers our Forefathers
met with to obtain this land : Shewing the Right their Children
have to it at this Day.”
A large quarto volume of 778 pages, entitled “ A six-fold
Commentarie on the Booke of Leviticus,” by “ Andrew Willet,
Dr. of Divinitie,” printed in London in 1631.
Three specimens of colonial “shin-plasters,” issued in 1775,
1776, and 1778.
An Almanac, by Nathaniel Ames, printed in 1737.
A “ Discourse of Housbandrie,” dated 1580.
Nearly all the relics in this vehicle are now the property of
Edward Hood, Esq. The Gov. Bradstreet sideboard belongs to
Mr. William Waite.
The Dinner was equally successful with all the other arrange-
ments of the day. Dr. Elisha Huntington* of Lowell, presided,
and addresses were made by him, by Hon. Charles W. Upham ;
by the Orator, Mr. Cleaveland; B. A. Gould, Esq., of Boston;
Judge Cummins,* formerly of Salem; Hon. Allen W. Dodge of
Hamilton; Maj. B. Perley Poore; Dea. Peabody, and others.
Songs, Glees, Instrumental music and Sentiments were freely
interspersed — an admirable quartette club from your city, and
Morse’s excellent band, led by the “ silver bugle,” furnishing
music of a superior order.
Mr. Upham touched very happily upon some incidents which
had been alluded to in Mr. Cleaveland’s Address, connected with
the witchcraft delusion, and with the history of old Gov. Brad-
street. In reference to the Governor, I quote a passage from
Mr. U’s Fourth of July Oration in 1842, where the same topic
is very graphically discussed as follows :
In 1684, the charter was taken away, and Massachusetts re-
*Native, but non-resident of Topsfield.
132 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSF1ELD.
duced to a subject Province. But the period of fifty-five years,
during which the satisfactions and the privileges of self-govern-
ment had been experienced, stamped the character of the people
forever. Two successive generations had been thoroughly satu-
rated with the spirit of liberty. It had become mingled with
their very heart’s blood, and ever after naturally descended in
their race as a constitutional and inherent element. No oppres-
sion could eradicate, and no lapse of time could exhaust it. The
tree had taken root deep in the soil, fastening itself inextricably
to the primitive granite of the globe iteelf ; its trunk was clothed
with a rugged strength that no storms nor hurricanes could break
or bend ; and branches were put forth which will surely spread
until the whole continent reclines beneath their peaceful shade.
The abrogation of the charter of Massachusetts was one of the
first fruits of the restoration of the Stuarts to the English throne,
on the ruins of the cause of civil and religious liberty. It was
resolved by that despotic dynasty to trample out the last spark
of freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. Regular troops were,
for the first time, sent over to the colonies to overawe and enslave
the people. Their several governments were abolished. Their
Houses of Assembly were dissolved, and all power was concen-
trated in the unrestrained hands of a Governor General appointed
by the crown. Few in number as the colonists then were, and
unbounded as was the arbitrary power of the mother country,
such a destruction of their most sacred rights was not unresist-
ingly borne, and it is to the honor of the people of Essex county
that no where was the resistance bolder and no where were such
heavy penalties incurred in consequence. But open and general
rebellion was vain. To attempt it then would have been insanity,
and a suffering and indignant people had no alternative but to
bide its time.
About three years after this tyrannical system of colonial ad-
ministration had been established a rumor reached Boston that
the Prince of Orange had landed in England to dethrone James
the Second, and before waiting for the confirmation of the rumor,
or the result of the expedition, the irrepressible spirit of the
people burst forth, they rushed from all quarters into Boston,
seized the Royal Governor in his fort and imprisoned him there,
and with acclamations of unbounded joy, reinstated their charter
government, called back old Simon Bradstreet to the chair of
state, and again for a brief period enjoyed the sweets of liberty
and independence.
This daring movement proves the efficacy of the training the
people of Massachusetts had experienced under the old charter.
They had become already true sons of liberty, and feared to meet
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 133
no danger in her cause. And what a venerable and sublime
spectacle it was to see Bradstreet re-appear on the public stage ;
He had come over to America, then a young man, in company with
Winthrop ; he had lived, and been a conspicuous actor, through
the whole period of the early liberties of New England ; he was
occupying, by the choice of the people, the chief magistracy of the
colony when the charter was abrogated, and now, although eighty-
six years of age, the venerable patriot is again at his post. Brave
old man ! What a spirit must have been enshrined in that
aged form ! With what a venerable dignity must those white
locks have been crowned ! Happy the people who were able to
command the services, and to appreciate the wisdom, of such a
patriarch ! It is an interesting circumstance to us that this Nestor
of New England closed his life in Salem. He died in 1697, hav-
ing reached the great age of 94 years. His ashes rest in our soil.
Dr. Huntington resigned the chair at an early hour, and was
succeeded by Mr. Cleaveland who discharged the duties very
felicitously and acceptably. Letters were read from distin-
guished natives of Topsfield, who were unable to be present, and
a humorous poem, composed for the occasion by a lady. An
original ode, also, was sung by the quartette club. Ladies graced
the tables by their presence — a novel feature at our public dinners,
but one which ought to be more generally adopted. The festiv-
ities were prolonged until 6 o’clock, P. M., when the company
adjourned with reluctance, having enjoyed a day of uninterrupted
pleasure. A ball in the evening closed this glorious Bi-Centen
nial celebration.
On motion of Asahel Huntington,* Esq., it was unanimously
voted that the Address and a detailed account of the proceedings
be published, in a form suitable for permanent preservation.
S. N. Y.
Salem Register , Sept. 2, 1850.
THE TOPSFIELD CELEBKATION.
CENTENNIAL HYMNS.
We meet to sing this morning,
Of scenes long passed away,
In happiness rejoicing,
That we have met to-day.
We’ve met to thank that Father
Who guards us here below,
As did our ancient Sires,
Two Hundred years ago.
^Native, but non-resident of Topsfield.
134
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
W e’ve met, a prayer to offer
To Him, who rules the sphere,
That we may never wander,
But follow, love and fear
Our blessed Lord and Master,
Where bliss like rivers flow
As did our Pilgrim Fathers
Two Hundred years ago.
Prepare us Lord, to meet them,
In that bright world of joy,
With loving smiles to greet them,
Where nought can us annoy.
To meet, in realms of glory,
Our Fathers : — there to know :
They lived on earth before us,
Two Hundred years ago.
We thank Thee, for this favour,
Of meeting here to-day
And may it be recorded,
When we have passed away.
We thank Thee for each blessing
That we receive below,
As did our Pilgrim Fathers,
Two Hundred years ago.
Tops field, Aug . 1850. F. G. P
Come, Fathers, wives and children,
Come — all without delay ;
Come — celebrate with pleasure,
This anniversary day.
Come — with your hearts o’er flowing,
With thankfulness and praise ;
To Him, who guards us daily,
To Him, your praises raise.
Our Fathers braved all dangers,
And cross’d the Ocean’s waves ;
Then settled in these vallies,
Beside the red man's graves.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
135
God heard their prayers and praises,
And saw their sorrows too !
And answered them with mercies,
That we to-day do view.
Behold our pleasant village,
’Twas once a pathless wood :
Two Hundred years of changes,
Has brought us all this good.
Now let our praise ascending,
Be heard both far and near
That every son of freedom,
In bliss and peace may hear.
May God, who reigns in heaven,
Our constant helper be ;
And save our land from danger
And keep onr nation free.
Topsfield, Aug . 1850. 0. P. H.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 10, 1850.
Administrator' s Sale.
By order of Probate Court, will be sold at Public Auction,
on MONDAY, the 14th day of October next, at 3 o’clock, P. M.r
on the premises, SO MUCH of the BEAL ESTATE of Eliz-
abeth Towne, late of Topsfield, single woman, deceased, as
will raise the sum of four hundred thirty dollars, for the pay-
ment of her just debts and incidental charges.
Said estate is situated in the southwesterly part of Topsfield,
and consists of about ten acres of Pasture and Meadow — Land
bounded by land of Daniel and Sewall Towne, and others.
Also — the right of redemption of about six acres of Pasture
Land, with a small house thereon — bounded by the aforesaid lot
and land of the estate of Lydia Towne, deceased.
Also — the right of redemption of one undivided third part of
about 27 acres of Pasture and Meadow Land — bounded north-
wardly by the aforesaid lots, — and owned in common with David
Towne, and the estate of Lydia Towne, and known as the “ Ack-
ley thirds at which time the undivided right belonging to the
estate of Lydia Towne will be sold.
Conditions made known at the sale.
JOHN G. HOOD, Adm’r.
Topsfield, Sept. 21, 1850.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 21. 1850.
136 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
At the exhibition of the Essex Agricultural Society held in
Salem, Sept. 25 and 26, Messrs. Lake exhibited 102 kinds of
fruit, from their nursery, in Topsfield, namely —
Pears , — Beurre d’Amalis, Catalac, Dix, Buffum, Vicar of
Winkfield, Easter Beurre, Seckel, Duchess d’Angouleme, Beurre
Diel, Glout Morceau, Dunmore, Harvard, St. Ghislain, Louise
Bonne de Jersey, Andrews, Napoleon Seedling, Golden Beurre,
Belle Lucrative, Frederick of Wertemburg, Long Green, Cushing,
Winter Nelis, Bartlett, Dearborn’s Seedling, Fulton, and several
Seedlings. Plums, — Black Imperial, Green Gage, New Orlean’s,
Prince’s Imperial. Peaches, — Jaques, Manning’s Bed, Yellow,
Alberge, Napoleon, Early Crawford, Brown, Jenk’s Bed, seed-
lings. Grapes, — 3 kinds of cultivated native. Quinces , — Orange.
Apples , — Perkin’s Sweet, Minister, Danvers Sweet, Golden Bus-
set, Baking Sweet, York Greening, Cart House, Spitzenburg,
Bed Eagle, Striped Sweet, Kilham Hill, Jenny Lind, (a beauti-
ful new speciment), Fall Harvey, York Busset, Baldwin, Alex-
ander, Winter Green, Yellow Bellflower, Porter, B. Island
Greening, Busset Pearmain, Boxbury Busset, Hubbard, None
such, Aunt Hannah, White Bellflower, Bibstone Pippen, Golden
Queen, Gilliflower.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 27, 1850.
Georgetown Bailroads. In addition to the two chartered
and surveyed Bailroad routes, continuing the Newbury port Bail-
road from Georgetown by one route to the Boston and Maine
Bailroad at Bradford and by the other to the Essex Bailroad at
North Andover, we learn that the question of reviving the old
Salem and Georgetown railroad route, so far at least as from
Georgetown, by the way of Boxford and Topsfield, to the Essex
Bailroad at North Danvers is again agitated, and that measures
are in progress to call an early meeting of the friends of the
project with a view to promote its completion. — Reg.
Salem Gazette , Sept, 27, 1850.
Fire in Topsfield. About 8 o’clock last evening (Friday),
a barn belonging to Miss Mulliken, in Topsfield, near the meet-
ing house, was struck by lightning, and totally destroyed, with
all its contents, including ten tons of hay. Six persons were
in the barn, when it was struck, but none of them were in-
jured. The loss was about $500. Insured for $150 at the
Holyoke Mutual Office.
After the above was in type, we received from an attentive
correspondent in Topsfield, the following additional particulars :
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 137
The barn belonged to Mrs. Mulliken of Salem, and was en-
tirely consumed, together with eight or ten tons of hay, and a
quantity of grain and beans belonging to Mr. Allen Gould, and
several cords of wood belonging to an occupant of her house.
In one end of the barn was a shoemakers’ shop, having in it six
or eight men at work, but no one experienced any other injury
than a severe shock. A considerable quantity of leather was
in the shop, belonging to Mr. C. Herrick, which was destroyed,
together with the seats and tools of the workmen. At the time
of the fire the rain came down in torrents, nevertheless, the
inhabitants turned out, to the number of five or six hundred,
but could afford but little assistance, as the barn was completely
on fire in a few moments.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 28, 1850.
HAVERHILL AND SALEM STAGE
REGULAR LINE
Stage leaves Eagle House, House, Haverhill, every morning,
at 6 1-4 o’clock, connecting with the morning train at George-
town, for Newburyport, and connecting in Salem with the trains
for Marblehead and Lynn.
Returning— leaves Salem at 3 1-2 P. M., and arrives in
Georgetown in season for the evening train passengers for Ha-
verhill.
(gp3 The subscriber having been many years on this route,
solicits the patronage of all who may wish any business tran-
sacted between Haverhill and Salem, assuring them that any
business entrusted to his care, will be promptly and faithfully
attended to.
ISAAC PINKHAM.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 5, 1850.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad. A meeting in favor
of this project was held at North Danvers, on the 15th inst.,
and was well attended by gentlemen from Georgetown, Boxford,
Topsfield, North and South Danvers, and Salem.
The meeting was organized by the choice of Samuel P. Fow-
ler as chairman, and W. L. Weston as secretary.
A good degree of interest was manifested, and there was a
general expression of opinion that the road could be built and
sustained. The following gentlemen were appointed a commit-
tee to procure subscriptions for a survey and to cause the same
to be made, and also to petition the Legislature for a charter —
138 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
namely: John A. Lovering, David M. Winter, Georgetown.
Thomas Perley, Samuel Kimball, Boxford. Asa Pingree, John
Wright, Topsfield. Joseph S. Black, Daniel Richards, Wm. H.
Little, Danvers.
A handsome sum was subscribed at the meeting, and meas-
ures will be immediately taken to have a survey made. The
meeting adjourned to the 15th of November.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 18, 1850.
FOR THE GAZETTE
DANVERS AND GEORGETOWN RAILROAD.
This project, for which a charter was granted five years since
and suffered to expire, is again revived, under encouraging cir-
cumstances. Recent surveys, by an experienced Engineer,
demonstrate that a junction of the Essex and Georgetown Rail-
roads can be made, by building less than twelve miles of new
road. One route passes from Danvers Plains, easterly of the
River Hill in Topsfield, near Topsfield Meeting House, across
Hood’s Pond, to Georgetown Corner. The other passes westerly
of the River Hill, crossing Ipswich River, near Rowley Bridge,
thence through South Boxford to the same point. The esti-
mated expense of either of these routes may be set down, on
the principles assumed by the Engineers at . $150,000
to this sum to be added for contingencies . . 50,000
the probable cost of proposed road will be . . $200,000
or about $16,000 per mile.
It is stated, by the Engineers, that no part of the grade on
either route need exceed forty feet to the mile ; and that there
will be no necessity of more than one mile exceeding 30 feet to
the mile. If this contemplated route of Railroad can be com-
pleted, the County of Essex would then have all Railroad facil-
ities desirable. The energy and ability of those who move in
this enterprise, gives assurance that it will be done.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 30, 1850.
MARRIAGES
In Topsfield, in the Methodist Church, by Rev. Mr. Atkinson,
Mr. Joseph Horton, of Ipswich, to Miss Sarah Ann Robinson,
of Topsfield. Also, by the same, Mr. Henry Hindes to Miss
Sarah Bly, both of Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 27, 1850.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 139
The Topsfield Celebration. The address of Nehemiah
Cleaveland, Esq., delivered at the second Centennial Anniversary
Celebration at Topsfield, on the 28th of August last, has just
been published, with notes appended, and embellishments, in a
style of typographical elegance worthy of the very uncommon
propriety and completeness which characterized all the details
of that celebration. The natives of Topsfield may well be
justified in looking back with pride upon the energy, good taste,
and enlightened spirit, which animated and pervaded the cele-
bration of their centennial anniversary, in the assurance that
their pleasant village will hold a higher rank for at least a hun-
dred years to come, in consequence of their success on this oc-
casion.
The most important feature of the day was the Address by
Nehemiah Cleaveland, Esq., which we think will be cited as a
model for discourses of this class. We trust that some of the
parties interested will take measures for the preservation of
copies in all the public libraries of the Commonwealth.
The pamphlet is enriched by three fine engravings ; namely,
a likeness of Gov. Bradstreet, now for the first time copied and
published, through the kindness of Solomon Wildes, Esq., and
others of the Governor’s descendants ; of the late Mrs. Alethea
Huntington, widow of Rev. Asahel Huntington, of Topsfield,
and mother of Dr. Elisha Huntington, recently Mayor of Low-
ell, and of Asahel Huntington, Esq., of this city ; of the Hon.
Nehemiah Cleaveland ; and of Gov. John Endicott, the engraved
steel portrait of which was loaned by C. M. Endicott, Esq., of
this city.
The Address presents many tempting passages for extract.
The grave humor and felicitous description of the old church
in Topsfield, will be appreciated by many of our readers.
The date of the fourth meeting-house will never be forgotten
by thofee who were wont in childhood to visit the venerable
place. The figures 17 — 59 separated into two sections by a long
hyphen of space, have, indeed, perished with the pillars, whose
capitals they adorned. But their image was long ago impressed
upon many a mental tablet, from which it will never be effaced,
till the tablets themselves shall be no more. It was on the 4th
of July, in the year just named, that the frame of this house was
raised. The preparations made by the town, and recorded in its
books, give some faint idea of what a great raising was in those
days. It was, indeed, an event long to be remembered — for the
entire population, men, women, and children, with multitudes
from the towns adjacent, then came together to perform, or else
140 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
to behold and rejoice over the mighty work. To lift those huge
oak timbers high in air, and there to place and to secure them,
was no child’s play, but demanded every stalwart arm for miles
around. I find, in the town vote, no mention of derricks, or
pulleys, or cordage. They depended, it seems, on their own
strong sinews, with, perhaps, some slight assistance from hydrau-
lic power. What amount of it was deemed necessary in the
present instance, may be gathered from the instructions given to
the Committee, who were ordered to provide one barrel of rum
and twelve barrels of cider.
The large and respectable edifice to which I now allude, was
in many respects, decidedly in advance of its predecessors. It
contained, when first opened for use, a number of pews in the
body of the house, and a row of them quite around the side.
These were all sold to the wealthier members of the congrega-
tion. In the third house there were but three or four pews, —
put up by special permission, for as many aristocratic families.
The remaining room was occupied by long benches. Upon these
the people took their seats — not as accident or fancy led, but
exactly where their places had been assigned by a committee,
and fixed by the town. This distribution was determined by a
rule. With a becoming respect for age, they gave the first and
best places to men who were more than sixty years old, without
regard to prosperity. To all the rest seats were assigned accord-
ing to the tax they paid. The men and women occupied oppo-
site sides, and the young were disposed of in the rear. After
the erection of the third structure, several attempts were made
to seat those who had no pews, according to the old principle ;
but they were, I believe, all unsuccessful. A new order of
things had it seems begun.
To many of us, the image of that old house, where, for eighty
years, the Gospel was proclaimed, and its ordinances dispensed,
must be ever dear. Venerable edifice ! we see thee still, as when
in childhood, we gazed with awe at thy vast form, thy towering
spire, thy glittering and ever-restless weather cock. What pic-
tures of the past revive, as thy immense interior once more rises
on our mental vision ! There was thy pulpit— revered and awful
rostrum, where, raised high in air, stood the holy man ; there
thy sounding-board, projecting, seemingly unsupported, like an
impending avalanche, there, too, thy velvet cushion — soft as
feathers could make it, and sending up, when pounded by a
vigorous eloquence, clouds of sacred dust. Shall we ever forget
th}- lofty and spacious gallery — grand receptacle of all ages and
both sexes. How well do we remember its foremost seat, — ven-
erable with wrinkled brows and snowy hair. How well recall
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 141.
the denser masses in the rear, where sober middle age, and
sprightly youth, were seen, distinct in their ascending ranks, like
the vegetable zones of iEtna. There, too, in one of the angles,
marked by his staff of office, sat the terrific tything-man. In
front of the pulpit, rose, like some well-manned battery, the
singers’ seats. What volleys of sound did we not receive, un-
shrinkingly, from that noisy spot ! How anxious was the
pause, — relieved only by a slight shuffing and by half-stifled
hems, — which succeeded the reading of the psalm ! How like a
small thunder- clap, burst upon the ear that preluding note, which
brought every voice to the right pitch ! And then, who can re-
count the musical glories which hung clustering round Thanks-
giving Day, — when the results of a month’s preparation broke
upon our heads in a perfect storm of sound ? How fearful the
strife when flute and clarionet, and viols, great and small, entered
the lists with bass, and counter, and tenor, and treble ! And
oh ! how our hearts beat, — let me use another’s words — “ at the
turning of a fugue, — when the bass moved forward first, like the
opening fire of artillery, — and the tenor advanced next, like a
corps of grenadiers, — and the treble followed with the brilliant
execution of infantry, and the trumpet counter shot by the whole,
with the speed of darting cavalry : — and then, when all mingled
in that battle of harmony and melody, and mysteriously fought
their way through, with a well-ordered perplexity, that made us
wonder how they came out exactly together ! ”
Will the pictured memory ever fade of those square pews,
with their little banisters, so convenient to twirl — so pleasant to
peep through ; their uncushioned seats, which were hung on
hinges, and raised in prayer time, and which followed up the
amen, with a loud rattling, running report, like an old-fashioned
militia fire ; and the flag-seated chairs, that stood in the centre,
for mother, or grand-ma’am, or spinster aunt ? There were the
long, free seats— there was the Elder’s pew, with iron stand for
hour-glass and christening basin — and there the Deacon’s strait,
snug box, where those good men were wont to sit, with their
faces to the people and their backs to the minister — “ the ob-
served of all observers,” and examples of the highest edification,
when they happened to be dozy.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 21, 1851.
FOR THE GAZETTE
A Chapter of Accidents in Topsfield.
Several months since, Mr. John Dwinell, in cutting straw,
with a cylinder straw-cutter, and conversing at the same time
142 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
with a companion, fed in his fingers instead of the straw, nor
was aware of what he was doing till his companion hearing the
bones crack, told him he had got sticks in the machines. There
was no other way to disengage his hand, but by reversing the
crank, when he found that three of his fingers had something
the appearance of minced meat ; the second finger had come in
contact with five knives, three above and two below, the others
with one less. By the surgical skill of Dr. Merriam, the fingers
were ail preserved entire.
A few weeks since, Mr. Samuel Todd, who was felling timber
in the woods, when a limb struck him on the top of the head,
and crushed him into the snow, depriving him of sense and lay-
ing the skull bare three or four inches over his forehead. This
wound was likewise skillfully dressed by the same surgeon, and
Mr. Todd was about his business in a week, having hardly a
trace of the wound, by way of a scar.
Two or three weeks since, George Bennett and his companion
were in the woods splitting wood for the market, both splitting
the same log and facing each other. While Mr. Bennett’s axe
was fast, and he was trying to raise the handle, it came up sud-
denly, and the other striking at the some time, came in contract
with Bennett’s thumb, severing it entirely, with the exception
of about one inch of the integrements on the inside, next the
hand, somewhat like the thumb of a glove connected by a few
stitches only on the inside. This was likewise successfully
treated by the Doctor, and the thumb preserved in place and
form, so that he has returned to his family in New Hampshire,
with his person entire.
Another case, which happened last Thursday, if not an
accident, must proved quite a disaster to the young man, the
subject.
A stranger, who gave his name as Edward Cullihan, last from
Kochester, N. H., twenty-five years old, inquiring for work, and
stopping temporarily with Mr. David Towne. About 5 o’clock
on Thursday, while chopping wood in the yard, he was seen
holding up his left arm with his hand chopped entirely off, and
the blood streaming from the stump. This was a case requiring
promptness as well as skill, and was successfully dressed and
the patient is doing well. In this case, it appears the young
man was in a state of Delirium Tremens, and supposed his hand
was a black cat coming at him, and he made not less than six
strokes with the hatchet before he entirely severed his hand at
the wrist, as was evident from the marks on the mangled hand,
and on the log where it lay.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 143
We think it fortunate that these several somewhat serious
cases, should have fallen into the hands of so safe and experi-
enced a surgeon. The Doctor’s surgical abilities have been lying
dominant for several years owing to the limited field of opera-
tions, and the proximity to the cities of his location. We are
glad to know that we have so certain and safe a remedy at
hand, for there are, not unfrequently, cases happening which do
not admit of delay, — a life or limb is at stake, instance the pro-
ceeding cases.
She-ne-wee-me-d V.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 18, 1851.
TOWN OFFICEES FOE 1851.
Topsfield. Town Clerk — J. P. Towne. Selectmen — John
Wright, Joshua Wildes, Thomas Gould. Assessors — John G.
Hood, E. D. Perkins, Thomas L. Lane. Overseers of the Poor
— Samuel Todd, Thomas P. Munday, Josiah Bradstreet. Treas-
urer— John Wright. Collector- -Samuel S. McKenzie. Consta-
bles— Isaiah M. Small, Andrew Gould. School Committee —
Eev. A. McLoud, John C. Balch, Nehemiah Balch, and two
others.
Salem Gazette, Mar. 18, 1851.
FOE SALE. — A Farm, situated in Topsfield, on the main road
to Ipswich, containing eighty acres of land suitably divided, —
Tillage, Pasture, and Woodland, — with a good supply of fruit,
together with the Stock, Tools, etc., etc. Apply to BENJ. R.
EOBINSON
on the premises.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 28, 1851.
DANVEES AND GEOEGETOWN EAILEOAD.
The first meeting of those named in an Act, passed by the
Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 7, 1851,
entitled “ An act to incorporate the Danvers and Georgetown
Eailroad Company and their associates, will be held at Berry’s
Tavern, in the North parish of Danvers, on TUESDAY, the 3d
day of June next, at 2 o’clock P. M., for the following pur-
poses : —
1st. To see if they will accept said Act of Incorporation.
2d. To organize under said Act.
144 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
3d. To do any other business that may legally come before
said meeting.
JOHN WRIGHT
SAMUEL LITTLE
HENRY POOR
ASA PINGREE
Persons named
in said
Act of Incorporation.
Danvers, May 27, 1851.
Salem Gazette, May 30, 1851.
Danvers & Georgetown Railroad.
The first meeting of those interested in the construction of
this road, was held at North Danvers, last Tuesday afternoon,
for the purpose of organizing under their charter. About forty
gentlemen were present from the different towns on the route of
the proposed roads. The meeting was organized by the choice
of Dr. Merriam of Topsfield, as Chairman, and W. L. Weston,
Esq., of Danvers, as clerk. It was unanimously voted to accept
the Act of Incorporation passed at the last session of the Legis-
lature, and measures were taken which indicate that the road
will be built, and that speedily. Committees were appointed to
solicit subscriptions to the stock of the Corporation, to estimate
the probable land damages along the line of the road, and settle
with the owners, and also to employ an engineer to make the nec-
essary surveys, plans, &c.
The meeting was a very spirited one, and a great deal of in-
terest was manifested in the construction of this road. No doubt
was expressed but that the stock could soon be taken up and the
road put under contract and completed. We understand that
there are no very bad grades on the route, and that the road can
be built as cheaply and as easily as almost any road in the State.
The distance from the terminus of the Newbury port Railroad in
Georgetown, to the proposed point of connection with the Essex
Railroad in North Danvers is estimated at 11 1-2 miles.
— Obs.
Salem Gazette , June 7, 1851.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad.
We learn that the subscription to the Danvers and George-
town Railroad is progressing very well. This road when com-
pleted will form a middle route from Boston to the Merrimac
river, between the Eastern and the Boston and Maine roads, and
will no doubt fill that section which is now much less thinly set-
tled than the towns below and above, with a busy and dense pop-
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 145
ulation. We anticipate no injury by this road to any other in-
terest, but rather that it will benefit the whole population on the
seaboard as well as inland, by adding materially to the popula-
tion and resources of that part of Essex County. — Newburyport
Herald.
Salem Gazette , July 12, 1851.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Miss Phillis Emerson, aged 72, the only colored
person in Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , July 12, 1851.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad.
The following gentlemen have been chosen Directors of the
Danvers & Georgetown Rail Road : —
George Tenney of Georgetown,
Asa Pingree of Topsfield,
Daniel Richards of North Danvers,
Wm. D. Northend of Salem,
George Osborne of South Danvers,
J. Colman of Newburyport,
Edward Crane of Boston,
Thomas Perley of Boxford,
I. S. Black of Danvers.
The town of Georgetown has voted almost unanimously, to
appropriate the surplus money owned by the town in the Manu-
facturers’ Bank, in payment for fifteen shares in the Danvers
and Georgetown Railroad. This town has now taken up all the
stock allotted to it.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 12, 1851.
Caution to Ministers. Rev. Mr. Cary, of Topsfield, was yes-
terday examined before the Salem Police Court, upon a charge of
having married two minors without the consent of their parents,
and was recognized to appear at the October term of the C. C. P.
We believe that the defendant is not charged with anything
more than a culpable carelessness, but such an investigation will
at all events have the effect of exhibiting the dangerous tenden-
cy of the recent law dispensing with the publication of inten-
tions of marriage.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 19, 1851.
146 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
g^Joel Lake, Esq., of Topsfield, has been appointed by the
Governor and Council, a Justice of the Peace for the county of
Essex.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 19, 1851.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad.
The board of Directors for this Company has been organized
by the choice of William D. Northend of this city as President,
and William L. Weston of Danvers, Treasurer and Clerk.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 22, 1851.
The Topsfield Nurseries are becoming famous. Last week
Mr. E. Lake presented to us a specimen of the plums which he
raises on his place. They were the Imperial Violets, of magni-
ficent size, and luscious quality. The tree from which they were
taken is a great bearer, and has been so loaded with fruit that it
has been necessary to prop it up.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 2, 1851.
Topsfield Fruit. The Messrs. Lake are doing a great deal to
make the good old town of Topsfield famous for fruit and fruit
trees. We noticed last week, the reception of some fine fruit from
E. Lake, and have now to make our acknowledgements to Mr. J.
Lake, for some splendid specimens from his Nursery, consisting
of Royal George, Noblesse, and Manning’s Red Peaches, Bartlett
Pears, Prince’s Imperial and Red Gage Plums, and two kinds of
native grapes, raised from seed, and which ripen about the 20th
of September.
We are also indebted to Capt. J. K. Cole, for some specimens
of the Runnels or Iron Apples, from the Crowninshield farm,
in Topsfield. They are of the growth of last year, but of per-
fectly firm flesh, and pleasant flavor.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 13, 1851.
The Messrs. Lake had a great variety of fruit, from their
Topsfield Nurseries, at the Horticultural and Agricultural Ex-
hibitions. Mr. W. G. Lake afforded us an opportunity of tasting
some very nice specimens of peaches and plums ; and from
Messrs. J. & E. Lake we received a variety of apples.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 27, 1851.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 147
List of Premiums and Gratuities.
Awarded by the Essex Agricultural Society.
September 25th, 1851.
Ploughing — Single Teams.
Moses Pettingill, Topsfield, plough, Ruggles & Co., 4th
premium, $2 00
Fruits.
Moses Pettingill, Topsfield, gratuity, $3 00
William Geo. Lake, do. do. 3 00
Flowers.
Mrs. Pettingill, Topsfield $2 00
Salem Gazette, Sept. 30, 1851.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, 1st inst., Mrs. Rebecca Hobbs, aged 96 — the
oldest inhabitant of the town.
Salem Gazette, Oct. 11, 1851.
Essex County. An intelligent correspondent, in Topsfield,
writes us, as follows :
“ Our farmers are reaping a rich harvest as the reward of
their toils the past summer. Our crops are better than an aver-
age. Corn and potatoes are fine in quality, and abundant in
quantity. Apples are good in quality, but not so abundant as
in some years. Our farmers are giving their attention to rais-
ing quinces, which are producing finely. The drought which is
so universal in its extent, affects us. Many of the wells are
quite dried up, and the small streams have failed to flow for
several weeks, so that the cattle will suffer soon, if no rain falls.
It is said, by “ the oldest inhabitants,” that our river has not
been lower for fifty years.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 17, 1851.
Deaths
In Topsfield, Mr. Elijah Perkins, aged 85 years 10 mos. 15
days — the oldest man in the town.
Salem Gazette, Nov. 4, 1851.
148 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
To the Inhabitants of Topsfield.
My address, on the occasion of our two hundredth Anniver-
sary, contained, as you perhaps remember, a few suggestions
in regard to the name of our town, and its probable source.
That it was derived, in some way, from a parish in England,
there could be no doubt; but still there was no positive evidence.
It occurred to me that the parochial register of the English
Toppsfield might furnish such evidence, — and, in a note to the
printed Address, I expressed the wish that some one would find
or make an opportunity to investigate the matter. — During the
past summer, it so happened that I had, myself, such an
opportunity.
In addressing to you this communication, I act, you see, on
the presumption that the result of my inquiries will not be
wholly uninteresting to you — Without exalting it into an affair
of special importance, it may at least, be regarded as one of
rational curiosity.
The parish of Toppesfield is situated in the northern section
of Essex. The nearest approach to it from London, by railroad,
is Braintree, distant about twelve miles. I reached it, however,
in a different way — stopping, on my return from Cambridge, at
Saffron Walden, from which place I took a private conveyance.
The distance is about sixteen miles. I found the ride exceed-
ingly pleasant, along the narrow but excellent road, which winds
its way through an unbroken succession of luxuriant corn fields
and meadows. As I drew near to the place, I noticed guide-
board directing the traveller to Toppesfield — and I hardly need
tell you that the sight occasioned a rush of recollections and of
strong home-feeling. Could it be that I was more than three
thousand miles removed from the familiar guide-posts of Box-
ford, Ipswich and Danvers !
It was evening when I arrived, and the “ Green Man Innn
received me. This is a small, but neat and comfortable tavern,
and bears the marks of a respectable antiquity. It is, in fact,
just such a place as the ale-house of Goldsmith’s Poem, and has
been, I presume the nightly resort of the Toppesfield politians,
for at least two hundred years.
When I went out the next morning, I found myself in a small
village, composed of stone cottages, mostly plastered, white-
washed and thatched. I saw nothing in them particularly pleas-
ing, beyond that aspect of neatness, and those floral adornings,
which rarely desert even the meanest rural home in that
beautiful country. My first visit was to the Church of St. Mar-
garet. The body of this edifice, which is of stone, is long, low
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 149
and narrow. It has a square, massive, brick tower, erected at
the beginning of the last century, and containing a clock and a
chime of five bells. The building occupies the centre of a small
burying ground, and has around it quite a number of simple
head-stones, but none of very ancient date. The interior inter-
ested me much. A place of worship more rude in aspect, or
less adapted to comfort, it would, I am sure, be difficult to find
in all New England. But as I marked its quaint irregularity of
shape — as my eye rested on the severe plainess of its architect-
ure and it furnishings — as , with some help of fancy, I read there
“ tales of the bridal and the bier,” — whole centuries, indeed, of
history, that seemed to be written on the walls. I found the
place exceedingly picturesque and pleasing. The pews are
narrow, upright boxes, with high sides, and with the exception
of the Kector’s, are uncushioned and uncarpeted. A few of
them, however, were supplied with straw-covered hassocks.
Upon the southern side there are four gothic arches, which rest
upon short, thick columns. On this side there is a low gallery,
erected as an inscription shows in 1833. The pulpit and read-
ing desk are on the opposite side.— These are of oak, and the
former resembles, in shape and appearance, that interesting
relic, the old Capen pulpit. Its soft cloth cushion, with two
depending tassels, is precisely such a one as Parson Dutch — the
“ Kettle drummle” of my early remembrance — used to pummel
so unmercifully in our old meeting house.
I must confess that even the humble monuments inserted in
the wall and floor of the edifice, had an interest for me, though
I had just before seen, and certainly not with indifference, the
sepulchral glories of St. Denis, and Santa Croce, and Westminster
Abbey. One of them, a mural tablet, commemorates in Latin,
the virtues of Dorcas Smyth, a native of Toppesfield, who died
in 1633, aged 76. It is surmounted by a dove, under which are
the words “ Eida : Simplex.” Beneath the dove is a beehive,
with the motto, “ Industria Dulcis.” — Small pilasters at the
sides represent piles of books, the lettered backs of which pro-
claim the pious reading of the good dame. On one of the scrolls
is a bleeding heart, with the word “ Spes” above it. — On the
other is an open hand, over which is the word “ Charitas.”
Below the whole there is a corbel, which supports a clasped
Bible, on whose leaves is seen the word “ Fides,” while upon it
sits a lamb — the words “ Humilis “ Mitis” being inscribed
above. The meaning of the Latin words, and the application of
the symbols, were elaborately and lucidly explained to me by
the aged sexton.
150 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Another small tablet, near the altar, bears an inscription in
classical Latin, of which the following is a version : “ I Richard
King, a native of Hutfordshire — educated at Oxford — a theolo-
gian by profession — by appointment a Chaplain to his Majesty,
King Janies, and the unworthy Vicar of this church, cheerfully
lay down my mortal remains in this consecrated spot. Glory be
to God ! To the Church, Prosperity ! and to my soul, everlasting
rest ! Amen.”
I noticed there the names of three other rectors. The oldest
inscription is on a small brass plate in the pavement It is an
injunction to pray for the soul of John Cracherode. This man
died in 1534 — more than a hundred years before a tree had been
felled upon the plains of our native town, and just about the
time when Henry VIII severed the connexions of England with
Rome. Two other monuments are evidently still older, having
lost every trace of name and date. These may safely be referred
to the fifteenth century. But of St. Margaret’s, enough.
With the exception of Howlett, on certain stones in the grave
yard, I had , as yet, found no name which belonged to any of the
founders of our Topsfield. My next object was to look into the
parish register. I went to the Parsonage, the Rector being away, I
called on one of the Churchwardens. On hearing what I wanted,
he kindly accompanied me to the Rector’s study, and placed the
books before me. The oldest manuscript into which I looked
begins with the year 1559. I commenced my search at 1600.
The record, being in the cramped and peculiar character of that
period, was not easy to decipher — nor could I, under the cir-
cumstances, study it with proper composure and care, especially
as the good Churchwarden showed some signs of impatience. It
was not till I reached the year 1621, that I found anything en-
couraging. Here was the name of Samuel Symonds, gent., and
that of Dorothy his wife. Between this date and 1633, I found
and copied the baptisms of ten of their children. I also followed
the record some thirty or forty years farther, but found nothing
beyond. The question at once arose — was this Samuel Sy-
monds the same man as the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts,
and the early Ipswich citizen, mentioned in the Court order for
1643, for settling the village of Hew Meadows? If so, the
problem of our name is solved. — Since my return, I have corres-
ponded on this subject, with Abraham Hammatt, Esq., of
Ipswich. — Mr. Sjmionds, he informs me, is said to have sprung
from a respectable family at Great Yeldham. This parish
adjoins Toppesfield, and the churches are not more than twa
miles asunder. A comparison of the names and births, as taken
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 151
from the English register, corresponds entirely with what is
known of the sons and daughters of the Ipswich settler. I need
not go into the particulars. They are such as fully satisfy Mr.
H. and myself, that the Mr. Symonds of Toppesfield in England,
and the Mr. Symonds of Ipswich in America, were one and the
same. When the question of a name for the new village came
up in the Court of Assistants, it was very natural that this gen-
tlemen, who was one of the proprietors, should suggest that of
the old parish in distant but still dear England, where he had
so long lived, and where his children had been born. Nor was
it strange that the wish of a man so influential should prevail.
I have not quite done with Toppesfield. It is a parish of about
3000 acres. Its surface is varied by slight inequalities, but
there are no hills. The soil is somewhat clayey, and when I
saw it, revealed its fertility by the unquestionable token of rich
corn-fields ripe for the sickle.
The Rector of this parish is the Rev. Henry John Gooch — a
nephew, if I was not misinformed, of General Gooch, who, a
few years since, commanded the British forces in India. The
parsonage is a charming residence, surrounded by flowers and
shrubbery, and smooth-shaven lawns. The present incumbent
lives among his people, and seems to be regarded with respect
and affection.
I have perhaps dwelt upon the subject in hand, with needless
prolixity and minuteness. Have I erred in supposing that even
small particulars may interest you, when they relate to one of
those places which were familiar and dear to your ancestors,
for centuries before our cis-atlantic antiquity began ? To me,
this visit to Toppesfield was gratifying, not merely because I
there saw the Fatherland namesake of my native town — nor
only because it enabled me to settle a question of some historic
interest. I saw there a fair specimen of the English rural par-
ish. From places just like this came, two hundred years ago,
many of our Puritan forefathers. And it was, thought I, amid
such scenery that they lived. In fields like this they used to
toil. Such were the cottages in which they dwelt, and here is
a model of the churches where they were wont to worship. Is
it strange that the thoughts of a New Englander in such a spot
should dwell with lively emotion on the results of that renowned
migration, to which he owes his country ? I had seen indeed,
much to admire on that old world beyond the sea — and in Eng-
land, especially, I had found but little to dislike. And yet, as
I compared the condition of the great masses of European pop-
ulation, even in the most favored lands, with that of my coun-
trymen at home, I could not doubt where the advantage lies.
152 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
And here in this ancient Toppesfield, how could I but think of
its Western counterpart ? Two hundred years of historic par-
allel were drawn out before me, as I contrasted the fortune of
those who staid with that of those who made their escape.
Here I saw your collateral kindred — your far-away cousins —
living as you would now be living, had your fathers, like theirs,
lacked the spirit to resent oppression, or the courage which it
then required to flee from it. Here I was in a community of
several hundred people, not a man of whom owns one rood of
the land which he cultivates ; not an individual of whom pos-
sesses the house that shelters him. These skilful farmers are
mere tenants at will, and are perpetually struggling under an
oppressive burden of rents, and tythes, and taxes, and rates.
These hardy laborers think they do well if their toil yields
them the average remuneration of a shilling per day. As to
religious privileges they had indeed a sitting, hired or free, in
yonder rude church. Their rector, sent them by the Queen, may
be a good man, or he may not. With the question of his ap-
pointment or dismission they have just as much concern as you
have. They are, however, permitted to pay him. From that
glebe, which is made so rich by their sweat, he draws an annual
stipend three times as large as that which you raise for your
two clergymen. And here, in a parish which pays its Rector
more than thirty-five hundred dollars a year, — here, within four
hours’ ride of the grand metropolis of the world, here in the
middle of the nineteenth century, a free school is a thing which
yet remains to be invented. As to the other picture, you have
it at hand, and it needs not my sketching. Can you look at the
two, and find no reason for contentment — no incentive to grati-
tude ? Thanks, then, to those good men — our fathers! — thanks,
above all, to Him whose favor they sought and found ; that they
were not content with the things around them, and that there
was that which they dreaded more than ocean storms, or a wil-
derness life, or death itself !
With the best wishes,
I am yours, &c., &c.
N. CLEAVELAND.
Brooklyn, Nov. 8, 1851.
Salem, Register, Nov. 13, 1851.
FOR SALE
A large and valuable FARM, situated in Topsfield, on the
Newburyport Turnpike, about of a mile from the main road
from Salem. It is 8 miles from Salem, 21 from Boston.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 153
There is upon the estate a large and convenient house, with
wood house, coach house, and other buildings. There are also
two very large barns, corn barn, tool house, sheds, &c. All the
buildings are in good repair and were thoroughly built, without
regard to expense. There are about 190 acres of land, the most
of it in a high state of cultivation, enclosed by excellent stone
walls. It is conveniently divided into mowing, tillage and pas-
ture lots. There are a large number of apple and other fruit
trees of the finest description in full bearing.
This estate is on elevated ground, and for beauty of situa-
tion and prospect is unsurpassed. The land is of first rate
quality and in the highest condition. It may be examined upon
application to J. K. COLE, upon the premises. For terms
apply to
FRANCIS B. CRO WNIN SHIELD,
Old Colony Rail Road Station, Boston.
May 29, 1851.
Salem Register , Nov. 13, 1851.
Death from Intemperance and Exposure. — Moody Balch,
a man of intemperate habits, left his home, in Topsfield, on
Monday of last week, and was missing until Sunday morning
last, when he was found dead, near a stone wall, in a pasture
in rear of the house of Asa Pingree, Esq. Constant search had
been made for Balch, by his friends, from Tuesday up to the
time of finding the body, but mostly in a different direction
from the place where it was found, as he was last seen in an
opposite part of the town. A jug of rum was found by the side
of the body. Mr. Balch was 57 years of age, and unmarried.
A coroner was called from Salem, on Sunday, but after a hearing
of the circumstances it was adjudged unnecessary to hold an
inquest.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 18, 1851.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Jan. 7, Mrs. Susan Cummings, aged 66 years, 10
mos. Extensively known as the excellent landlady of the Tops-
field Hotel. Funeral to-morrow from her late residence, at 1
o’clock.
Salem Gazette, Jan . 9, 1852.
154 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
Bill of Mortality of the Town of Topsfield —
from Jan. 1, 1851, to Jan. 1, 1852.
January 24 Mrs. Abigail Perley 81 yrs.
Febr’y 12 Miss Anna Perkins 65
March 18 Miss Abigail Perkins 63
16 Mr. George Hobbs 68
24 Wife of Solomon Averill 83
April 26 Josiah Gould 62
27 Alfred, son of J. Boardman, jr. 3
May 2 Mrs. Eunice Putnam 73
June 2 Asa Bradstreet 34
July 9 Miss Phillis Emerson 71
24 Mary Ellen, child of 0. Porter 3
August 17 Emma Augusta Crowell 2 mos.
21 Charles Gould 24 yrs.
28 Emmaetta, child of A. Gould 1
29 Miss Ruth Gould 68
31 Mrs. Sarah Emerson 37
Sept. 8 Amos Perkins 63
9 Child of S. N. Averill —
10 John Riley 63
12 Mrs. Sally Horne 64
15 Wm. Arthur, child of E. Peabody 2
17 Child of Moses Peabody 1
24 David, child of B. Kimball 2
October 1 Mrs. Rebecca Hobbs 96
7 Widow of Nathaniel Gould 80
14 Mary Jane, child of late J. Potter 4
14 Harriet Josephine Holmes, child of
Edwin Foster 2
19 Mrs. Abigail Wright 45
31 Elijah Perkins 85
Novem. 4 Mrs. Eunice Esty 77
10 Moody Balch 58
23 Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott 27
Dec’r 29 Wife of S. N. Averill —
Topsfield, Jan. 1 , 1852. [Reg.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 9, 1852.
NOTICE. As my son, Geo. Clarke, has eloped, I forbid all
persons, trusting him on my account, as I shall pay no debts of
his contracting.
SAMUEL CLARKE.
Topsfield, Jan. 30, 1852.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 30, 1852.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 155
Topsfield Academy
Is now re-opened for the reception of pupils of both sexes.
The Spring Term of this Institution will commence on
WEDNESDAY, the 14th of April, and will continue eleven
weeks.
Instruction given in the various branches of an English Edu-
cation, in Vocal and Instrumental Music, Drawing, and in the
Latin, Greek, and French Languages.
TERMS OF TUITION.
English Branches,
Languages, each
Drawing,
Music, and use of Piano,
$5 00
2 00
2 00
8 00
Board in good families, $1.75 to $2 per week.
This Institution, it is believed, presents the most favorable
opportunities for the acquisition of an education. The situation
is easily accessible, by good public conveyances, and in all nat-
ural advantages,, well adapted for a school. The moral tone of
the place is eminently healthy, and the teachers will spare no
pains to advance the interests of any scholar that may be com-
mitted to their charge.
WILLIAM C. FARNSWORTH, Preceptor
MISS ELLEN S. LOVERING, Preceptress
Topsfield, March 30, 1852.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 30, 1852.
Topsfield Nurseries
PREMIUM
Trees and Scions !
THE SUBSCRIBER respectfully invites his friends and
customers to his large collection of
FRUIT TREES!
embracing all the choicest varieties worth cultivation — consist-
ing of
APPLE, PEAR,
PEACH, PLUM,
CHERRY, QUINCE,
from three to five years from the bud — thrifty and handsome.
156 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Also — about two hundred extra size Pear Trees, eight to ten
years from the bud — all in a bearing state, on pear bottoms.
Also — about fifteen hundred Pear Trees, on pear bottoms,
from three to four years from the bud — very thrifty, and of the
choicest varieties.
Also — Mountain Ash, Weeping Willows, Arbor Vitae, Pur
Balsam, etc.
SCION S cut to order, from fifteen hundred standard Apple
and Pear Trees, — many of which are in a full bearing state, and
fruited one hundred and thirty varieties last year, — and deliv-
ered free of charge at any of the depots in Salem or Boston.
W. G. LAKE.
Topsfield, March 26.
Salem Gazette, Mar. 30, 1852.
The Crowninshield Farm in Topsfield was sold last week, for
$9,900, to Mr. Boyden, formerly keeper of the Tremont House,
in Boston, who proposes, it is understood, to reside permanently
in Topsfield.
Salem Gazette, Apr. 20, 1852.
DANVEES AND GEOEGETOWN EAILEOAD.
A meeting of the Stockholders of the Danvers and George-
town Eailroad Company will be held at Berry’s Hotel, in North
Danvers, on THUESDAY next, June 3d, at 1 o’clock, P. M.,
for the following objects : —
To see if they will accept an act passed by the last Legisla-
ture, entitled “ An Act concerning the Danvers and Georgetown
Eailroad Company,” and to take any action thereon;
To see what measures they will adopt to have the road put
under contract for construction ;
To attend to any other business that may legally come before
the meeting.
Per order of the Directors,
WILLIAM D. NOETHEND, President.
Salem, May 28, 1852.
Salem Gazette, June 1, 1852.
Danvers and Georgetown Eailroad.
A meeting of the subscribers to Stock in the Danvers and
Georgetown Eailroad was held at North Danvers, yesterday
afternoon.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 157
The President of the Road, Mr. Northend, made some state-
ments of the prospects of the road and of proposals for its
construction, and expressed his belief that by additional effort
on the part of the Stockholders, the road could be put under
contract within a few weeks.
The Act passed by the last Legislature concerning the road
was unanimously accepted, and the following vote was passed :
Voted. That the Directors be authorized to lease the Danvers
and Georgetown Railroad to the Boston and Maine or Eastern
Railroad Cos. for such time and on such terms as they may deem
most for the interest of the road and the stockholders, and that
they be authorized to take such measures as they shall deem
proper to put the road under contract for construction, and they
are hereby authorized to put the road under contract in such
manner and at such time as they shall deem most for the inter-
est of the road.
The meeting was then adjourned to meet at Munday’sHall in
Topsfield, on Tuesday afternoon next, at 2 o’clock.
Great confidence is expressed by the Directors that the road
can be constructed this Summer and that thus a direct Railroad
communication be opened with the interior of the county and
with Haverhill.
Salem Gazette , June 4, 1852.
DANVERS AND GEORGETOWN RAILROAD. The
meeting of the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad is adjourned
to meet at Munday’s Hotel, in Topsfield, on TUESDAY (This
Day,) at 2 o'clock, P. M.
Salem Gazette , June 15, 1852.
Among the toasts offered at Fourth of July dinner at Salem
was the following :
20. Topsfield — her geographical position, makes her the
centre, and her character entitles her to be considered the heart
of Essex County.
Salem Gazette , July 6, 1852.
BY THOMAS L. LANE Topsfield.
GUARDIAN’S SALE.
Will be sold, by order of Probate Court, on THURSDAY,
the 29th day of July inst., at 5 o’clock, P. M., on the premises,
at the residence of Mrs. Mercy Peabody.
ONE undivided ninth part of all the REAL ESTATE of
which the late Ebenezer Peabody died seized, — now belonging
158 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
to Ezra Peabody, — the same being subject to the widow’s
dower.
NATH’L PERKINS, Guardian.
Topsfield, July 13, 1852.
Salem Gazette , July 16, 1852.
DANVERS and GEORGETOWN RAILROAD. The Stock-
holders of the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad Company
are hereby notified that their Annual Meeting will be held at
Munday’s Hall, in Topsfield, on WEDNESDAY, the 4th day
of August next, at 2 o’clock, P. M., for the following purposes,
viz :
1st To choose a Board of Directors for the year ensuing.
2d To transact any other business that may legally come
before them.
W. D. NORTHEND, President.
Salem, July 27, 1852.
Salem Gazette , July 27, 1852.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, on the 21st inst., Mr. Edward Hood, aged 53
years. He was Postmaster at Topsfield under the Administra-
tion of Mr* Van Buren. The deceased was one of bhose untiring,
unflinching Democrats — early enlisting in the cause of Democ-
racy under the Administration of Gen. Jackson, and to which
he strictly adhered until after the swerving of many from their
first love and uniting with the Abolition and Free Soil Demo-
crats— he then entirely withdrew his action and feelings from
the political sphere and since which has taken no lively interest
in the political movements. — Communicated .
Salem Gazette , Aug. 24, 1852.
R. A. Merriam and Samuel Clifford were the Topsfield dele-
gates to the Whig State Convention.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 27, 1852.
DEATHS.
In North Beverly, Aug. 20, widow Abigail Homan, daughter
of the late Daniel and Hannah Estey, of Topsfield, aged 71.
Salem Gazette , Sept . 7, 1852.
In Boxford, 9th inst., Mrs. Mary, widow of the late Mr.
Benjamin Hobbs, of Topsfield, aged 80 years 11 days.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 14, 1852.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSF1ELD. 159
Fine Fruits. “The Lakes ” are as liberal in their distribu-
tion of their fruits, as they are successful in cultivation, and
rich and abundant in varieties. We are indebted to the kind
remembrance of Mr. W. G. Lake for assorted specimens of fifty
varieties of the finest fruits,— apples, pears, peaches, and grapes,
— the product of his extensive Nurseries in Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 8, 1852.
Whig Rally at Topsfield
The citizens of Topsfield are invited to meet at Academy
Hall, THIS EVENING, Oct. 26th, at 7 o’clock, to listen to ad-
dresses from distinguished speakers. The Scott Glee Club,
from Salem, will be there. Ladies are invited.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 26, 1852.
On Friday evening, the Whigs of Topsfield had a full meet-
ing. An excellent address was delivered by Wm. C. Endicott,
Esq., after which Leverett Saltonstall, Esq., was called out, and
responded in a spirited and animating impromptu speech.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 26, 1852.
On Tuesday evening the Whigs of Topsfield had another fine
meeting and were ably and eloquently addressed by Wm. D.
Northend, Esq., of Salem, and A. A. Abbott, Esq., of Danvers.
The Salem Glee Club also attended and enlivened the meeting
with some of their stirring songs.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 29, 1852.
To the STOCKHOLDERS of the
Danvers & Georgetown Railroad.
THE first assessment of Ten Dollars on each and every share
of the Capital Stock of the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad
Company has been made by the President and Directors of said
Company, and notice is hereby given, that the said assessment
will be due and payable at the residence of the Treasurer, in
Topsfield, on the 30th of November present.
WILLIAM N. CLEAVELAND, Treas.
Topsfield, Nov. 23, 1852.
Salem Gazette, Nov. 25, 1852.
Narrow Escape. On Saturday morning last, as Mr. W. G.
Lake, of Topsfield, was passing over the draw of Charlestown
160 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Bridge with a heavy load of Apples, the forward axle-tree of
his wagon broke in the centre, throwing Mr. Lake between the
horses. The animals became frightened, and ran with great
speed, and as Mr. Lake attempted to extricate himself by spring-
ing between the wheels and the horses, he was thrown down,
and both wheels of the wagon passed over his legs, bruising
them, if not breaking some bones. He was taken to Webb’s
Hotel in Elm street, where medical aid was called, and every
attention paid by the landlord to his comfort. —
Traveller.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 31, 1852.
Topsfield, Jan. 6, 1853.
To the Editor of the Salem Gazette :
Annexed I hand you a list of Fruits, such as I have in a
bearing state and in open field cultivation, without high brick
walls or board fences to protect them. I have fruited every
variety upon the list, and they all do first rate with me, with
the exception of two varieties, which I have not so fully tested
as I have the others, — those are the Northern Spy and Spitzen-
burg ; yet I feel confident that the Spy will do well with us, in
good cultivation, and if so, it is one of the best apples in the
world, and should be extensively cultivated. The Spitzenburg
is a very handsome, good, rich flavored, late keeping apple, but
has the appearance of being a poor bearer, but it may do better
as the tree grows older.
I have many other new varieties of fruit under cultivation,
which I shall speak of hereafter.
If you think the annexed list of fruits worth publishing, you
can do so, with any remarks you may see fit to make.
Yours &c.
W. G. LAKE.
Fruit for Northern cultivation, hardy and sure :
Apples. Winter — Late keeping. — Baldwin, Roxbury Russett,
Rhode Island Greening, Danvers Winter Sweet, Northern Spy,
Spitzenburg.
Early Winter. — Hubbards ton, Nonsuch, Aunt Hannah, Sweet
Baldwin.
Fall, — Fall Harvey, Porter, Minister, Gravenstein, Alexander,
Rives apple, Luscomb, Killam Hill.
Early Summer. — Williams’ Favorite, Early Sweet Bough,
Early J uneating, Baking Sweet, Red Astrican.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 161
Pears, Bartlett, Beurre Bose, Flemish Beauty, Beurre Diel,
Duchess D’Angouleme, Louise Bonne, De Jersey, Andrews, Vicar
of Winkfield, Glont Morceau, Winter Nelis, Fulton, Seckel,
Rostiezer, Buffum, Van Mons, Leon LeClerc, St. Gislen, Golden
Beurre Bilboa, Belle Lucrative, Urbanist, Beurre D’Aremburg,
Columbia, Dix Tyson, Beurre D’ Anjou, Lawrence.
Cherries. Black Tartarian, Black Eagle, Knight’s Early
Black, Davenport’s Early, Danvers Late Red, Yellow Spanish,
Arden’s White Heart, Large White Bigarreau, American Amber,
Early May Duke.
Plums. Green Gage, Red Gage, Prince’s Yellow Gage, Im-
perial Gage, Washington, Lawrence Favorite, Jefferson, Black
Imperial, Lombard.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 11, 1853.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Jan. 10th, William G. Lake, Esq., aged 44 years,
8 months : — the well known horticulturist of Essex County.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 14, 1853.
An able and interesting discourse delivered on Thanksgiving
day, by Rev. Mr. McLoud, of Topsfield, has been published, by
request of a number of the leading members of his society.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 18, 1853.
The following article is copied from the Hew England Farmer
of last week :
Death of Wm. G. Lake, Esq.
Died in Topsfield, on the 10th inst., Mr. William G. Lake,
aged 45 years.
Mr. Lake was somewhat extensively known as a horticulturist
and dealer in nursery trees. He had devoted his whole time and
energies for the last fifteen years to the cultivation of fruit and
fruit trees. He had spared no pain or expense to procure the
best varieties for cultivation. He had made himself practically
acquainted with the growing of trees, and of performing the
various nursery operations.
For several years past, his tables at our agricultural and
horticultural shows have not been surpassed by any other
contributor.
He had, for several years, supplied the vicinity with fruit
trees, and several parts of the commonwealth, the southern parts
of New Hampshire, and even the inhabitants of California will
162 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
soon be gathering fruit from trees sent out by Mr. Lake, and
which were raised on the soil of Topsfield.
Mr. Lake has sold trees from 25 cents to 25 dollars apiece.
He has left on his ground (ten acres) between twenty and thirty
thousand worked fruit trees from one to four years old on the
bud, for transplanting, besides leaving the grounds supplied
with standard trees, just beginning to bear fruit; various orna-
mental trees have had a full share of his attention.
The town of Topsfield is indebted to Mr. Lake for the build-
ing up of quite a village ornamented with a variety of forest
trees and shrubbery, where fourteen years ago, but one single
dwelling, and a tall pine tree, relieved the monotony of mossy
stone walls that bordered the highway.
Mr. Lake has certainly left a growing and enduring memorial
of his industry, activity and taste.
About a fortnight before his death, he met with an accident on
Charlestown bridge, from which he had very nearly recovered,
when he was attacked with inflammation of the chest three days
before his death. He leaves a wife and three children, who, for
their great and sudden bereavement, have the deep sympathy of
the public.
Topsfield , Jan. 14, 1853. M. A. R.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 6, 1853.
GUARDIAN'S SALE.
By virtue of a license from Probate Court, will be sold at Pub-
lic Auction, on MONDAY, the 7th day of March next, at two
o’clock, P. M., on the premises, in Topsfield.
ALL THE RIGHT, title and interest that Lewis Henry
Symmes and William Albert Symmes, minor, have in and to
about twenty acres of land, with a barn and carriage house
thereon ; being the estate of which Edward Hood, late of Tops-
field, died seized.
Conditions made known at the time of sale.
LEWIS SYMMES, Guardian.
Beverly, Eeb. 11, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 14, 1853.
GUARDIAN' S SALE.
By virtue of a license from Probate Court, will be sold at
Public Auction, on MONDAY, the 7th day of March next, at
three o’clock, P. M., on the premises in Topsfield,
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 163
ALL THE EIGHT, title, and interest that Samuel Hood, of
Topsfield, mariner, has in and to one undivided fifth part of
about twenty acres of land, with a barn and carriage house there-
on ; being the estate of which Edward Hood, of Topsfield, died
seized.
Conditions made known at the time of sale.
SYLVESTER CUMMINGS, Guardian.
Boxford, Feb. 11, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 11, 1853.
Topsfield. The Methodist Episcopal Society in this town
have purchased a beautiful site for a meeting house, at the head
of the common, on which a church of modern structure will be
erected the coming season, at an expence of six thousand dollars,
all of which has been subscribed.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 18, 1853.
Court of Common Pleas, Commonwealth vs. William Mun-
day, of Topsfield, for keeping a public nuisance, in the form of
a slaughter house. Verdict — guilty. Harmon for Gov’t. N. J.
Lord and Northend, for deft.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 22, 1853.
ADMINISTRATOR'S SALE.
Will be sold at Public Auction, on SATURDAY, the 2d day
of April next, at one o’clock in the afternoon, the home lately
occupied by Wm. G. Lake, in Topsfield,
ALL THE RIGHT and title that Wm. G. Lake, deceased,
owned in about eleven acres of LAND, situated on Lake’s Hill
(so called), in Topsfield ; with about twelve hundred bearing Ap-
ple Trees, and four hundred Pear Trees, all of the choicest fruit.
Also — a NURSERY, on the same, containing about thirty
thousand Apple, Pear, Plum and Peach Trees, of the choicest
kind.
Also — one SHED, at the Congregational Meeting House ; and
a lot of Manure at the stable.
Also — 1 Horse, 1 Chaise, 1 Sleigh, 1 Covered Wagon, 2 Buf-
falo Robes, a large lot of Farming Tools, &c. &c.
Also — 1 Ox Wagon, 1 Cart, 1 Wagon, 1 Ox Sled, 2 Harnesses,
&c. &c.
THOMAS J. CLARK, Adm’r.
Topsfield, March 25, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 1, 1853.
164 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Topsfield, Wednesday, April 6.
The ground is being broken today for the making of the
Georgetown and Danvers railroad. There will be a new loca-
tion of railroad from Georgetown to South Reading, which makes
a new route from Newburyport to Boston, through Topsfield.
Will not this be “ first rate” for Topsfield?
Salem Gazette , Apr. 7, 1853.
FOR SALE.
At the Nursery formerly occupied by WM. G. LAKE, de-
ceased, in Topsfield, a large lot of APPLE, PEAR, PEACH,
and PLUM TREES, of the choicest kinds.
O^’For further particulars, inquire of JEREMIAH BALCH,
on the premises.
Topsfield, March 24, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 19, 1853.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad Notice.
THE subscribers to the stock of the Danvers and Georgetown
Railroad Company are hereby notified, that the President and
Directors of the Company have made the second assessment of
ten dollars per share, on all the shares in said Corporation ; and
directed the same to be paid to the Treasurer, at his residence,
in Topsfield, on the second day of May next ; and they are re-
quested to pay the same accordingly.
WM. N. CLEAVELAND, Treasurer.
Topsfield, April 19, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 22, 1853.
For the Gazette.
It appears, by the doings of the Legislature that a Normal
School is to be established in the County of Essex.
We must be permitted to put in a claim for the good old town
of Topsfield. In the first place, the centre of the county would
seem to indicate the centre of accommodation for the purity and
healthfulness of the air, the hills have nothing to be compared
with them in any other part of the county. The scenery in and
about the town excels ; the drives, for beauty of scenery, and
romantic views, are unsurpassed.
The meadows bordering Ipswich river, together with the
bridges which span this gentle and peaceful stream, one of them,
now erecting, composed of stone, arched, will form a very beau-
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 165
tiful feature in the landscape. A railroad is now being con-
structed, which will be finished by the autumn, which passes
through the centre of the town, and all the public highways
leading to Topsfield are very smooth and pleasant. The River
Hill, which has been somewhat noted for its length and steepness
will now be obviated by the new stone bridge on the Turnpike.
There are two churches in process of erection and remodeling —
a Congregational and Methodist. Fruit, of all kinds, is very
abundant in Topsfield. Board will be as reasonable as in any
part of the county ; indeed, I do not know of any place where
so many things combine, as in Topsfield, to form a very desirable
locality for such an institution.
With no small degree of confidence, we invite the Commission,
or whatever is empowered to select a site for the establishment,
to examine our town before they decide upon a spot.
Topsfield.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 26, 1853.
Danvers & Georgetown Railroad.
THE subscribers to the Stock of the Danvers and Georgetown
Railroad Company are notified that the following assessments
have been made by the President and Directors on all the shares
of the Capital Stock of said Company, viz : —
$20 per share, payable on Monday, 8th of June next.
$20 “ “ “ “ 4th of July “
$20 “ “ “ “ 1st of August "
$20 “ “ “ “ 5th of Sept. “
And the same are ordered to be paid at the residence of the
Treasurer in Topsfield, at the times above named ; and subscrib-
ers are requested to pay the same accordingly. Parties paying
the same, or any part in advance, will be allowed interest to the
time when they become due.
W. N. CLEAVELAND, Treasurer.
Salem Gazette , May 13, 1853.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad.
The work on this road, between North Danvers and George-
town, is making very rapid progress. It is estimated that about
one third of the entire work under contract is already completed.
The most formidable ledge on the entire line is situated near
Putnamville, or “ Blind Hole,” in North Danvers, and is already
taken down to a considerable extent. It is a somewhat remark-
able fact that the cost of all the work thus far has been below
166 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
the estimates of the Engineer, which were thought, at the time
they were first made, to be extravagantly low.
It is now expected, with reasonable confidence, that the road
will be entirely graded and made ready for the track before win-
ter, and that the track will be laid early in the spring. The
company are making contracts for their iron, as we are informed
at the present time. — Obs.
Salem Gazette , July 12, 1853.
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad Company.
THE stockholders of the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad
Company are hereby notified that their Annual Meeting will be
held on WEDNESDAY, the third day of August next, at the
Academy Hall, in Topsfield, at two o’clock in the afternoon , to
choose a board of Directors ; to make such alterations in the
By-Laws as they shall deem proper ; and to do any other busi-
ness that may legally come before them.
Per Order,
GEO. F. CHOATE, Clerk.
Salem Gazette , July 19, 1853.
FOR SALE — A valuable estate in Topsfield, nine miles from
Salem, on the County Road to Haverhill, consisting of a good
Dwelling House, two Barns, a Shoe Manufactory, and about two
and a half acres of land, with a good variety of fruit and orna-
mental trees.
Said estate has a front on said County road, of 17 rods and 10
feet, and is within 40 rods of the railroad now building between
Georgetown and Danvers.
g^Apply to JOHN WRIGHT, on the premises.
Salem Gazette , July 26, 1853.
Directors of the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad. — W. D.
Northend, of Salem, G. J. Tenney, Georgetown, Sami. Little,
do., Thomas Perley, of Boxford, J. S. Black, of N. Danvers, G.
Coggswell, of Bradford, C. J. Brockway, of Newbury port, Chas.
Herrick, of Topsfield, Gilbert Tapley, of N. Danvers.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 23, 1853.
Spunky. The people of the town of Essex are talking of
building a railroad from that town to the new Road in Tops-
field, intersecting the Eastern near the Hamilton meeting house,
about six miles. Should that road be build, and those completed
that are now already chartered, there will not be a town in
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 167
Essex County without a railroad passing through its territory. —
Newbury port Union.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 21, 1853.
By John G. Hood, Auctioneer,
TOPSFIELD
Administratrix's Sale of Real Estate.
By order of Probate Court, will be sold at Public Auction, on
FRIDAY, the 18th day of November next,— THE following
described Real Estate, now belonging to the estate of John C.
Balch, late of Topsfield, yeoman, deceased : —
A parcel of Pasture Land, situated in Topsfield, containing
four acres, known as the Copper Mine Lot.
Also, one undivided half part of about two acres of Peat
Meadow, situated in Boxford, near the house of Francis Hood.
Also, one undivided half part of about sixteen acres of Wood
Land, situated in Boxford, near to Crooked Pond.
Also, one Pew (No. 53) in the Congregational Meeting House,
in Topsfield.
Sale to commence at 11 o’clock, A. M., with the Copper Mine
Pasture, on the premises, and at which time and place the Peat
Meadow will be sold; and at 1 o’clock, P. M., the Wood Land,
on the premises ; and at 3 o’clock, the Pew, at the meeting-
house.
Conditions made known at the sale.
MARY ANN BALCH, Adm’x.
Topsfield, Oct. 28, 1853.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 28, 1853.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Widow Dolly T. Pike, aged 96; Austin, son of
Mr. Humphrey Wildes, jr., aged 4 years. — His death was occa-
sioned by getting accidentally a kernel of corn in his windpipe.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 6, 1853.
Burglary. The shoe store of Mr. Perley Balch, of Topsfield,
was broken open on Wednesday night, and shoes and stock to the
amount of about one hundred dollars, stolen therefrom.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 9, 1853.
168 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Fire at Topsfield. On Friday afternoon at 5J o’clock, the-
barn, with all its contents of hay, grain, &c., of Asa Pingree,
Esq., in Topsfield, took fire, and was entirely destroyed. The
cause of the fire was not known.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 13, 1853.
Mad Dogs. On the 25th of November the inhabitants of
Topsfield were somewhat surprised by the appearance of a large
black dog, with a leather collar around his neck, and an iron ring
attached to it. The dog both looked and acted strangely, biting
every dog he chanced to meet, and, on the day following, was
killed in the east part of the town. It was soon known that he
had bitten a large number of dogs and one cow. In two weeks,
a dog owned by Mr. Moody Andrews was taken sick, and is sup-
posed that he was mad. After raving and frothing a few daye
he was killed. Also, about the same time, a hog, owned by J.
N. Pope, of Boxford, was taken in much the same way, and died
in a few days. The next Wednesday a dog owned by Mr. Elea-
zer Lake was taken in much the same way, and, after lingering
a few days, died. On the 9th of December, being just three
weeks, a hog, owned by Mr. James Cass, was taken sick in much
the same manner as the other hog and dogs, and we think there
is no doubt that the hog is mad, as it is known he was bitten by
the same dog. All the above, and many other dogs, are known
to have been bitten, and in most cases they have been killed.
Since writing the above, we hear that a dog owned by Mr.
George Wilkins of Middleton, has become mad by the bite of the
same dog; — also a cow in Middleton. — Reg.
Salem Gazette , Dec. 16, 1853.
The following petition was left yesterday, at the City Hall :
To the Honorable Ashael Huntington, Mayor of Salem and those
associated with him in the Government of that city.
The undersigned, citizens of Topsfield, are painfully concerned
on account of the prevalence of drunkenness in our town. We
have done something, and are now doing, what we can, to stay
the progress of this vice, and to reclaim its degraded victims,
and restore them to their families and to society. But we find
our efforts thwarted to a great extent by the facility with which
the evil disposed and weak minded obtain the means of intoxica-
tion in your city. So long as such a state of things continues
there, many of our young men and boys will become miserable
inebriates, and, many of our families, will endure all the wretch-
edness which a drunken husband and father is sure to inflict —
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 169
notwithstanding our best endeavors to prevent drunkenness, and
to reform the drunkard.
In our distress we turn to you, and respectfully but earnestly
ask that the laws of our Commonwealth, intended to restrict and
to prohibit the traffic in intoxicating drinks, may be faithfully
and rigorously enforced within the bounds of your jurisdiction.
When this shall be done, we believe that a principal fountain
whence flow demoralization poverty and ruin to a considerable
portion of our fellow citizens, and indescribable anguish to their
families, will be dried up. We have no purpose or desire to in-
in struct you respecting your official duties, but deeply feeling and
frankly acknowledging our great need of your assistance, if ye
can do anything in the way we have suggested, we entreat you
as faithful rulers and good men that ye will help us.
Topsfield Dec. 9, 1853.
The above petition is signed by 119 citizens and legal voters
of Topsfield.
Salem Gazette, Dec. 23, 1853. ,
THE SNOW STORM.
On Saturday night and Sunday we had yet another fall of
snow, of several inches, making the fourth within a week, and
leveling off the heaps for sleighing. Between two and three feet
on a level must have fallen in all.
A letter from the Topsfield Postmaster, dated Friday says :
“ The wind blew from the northeast until 4 P. M., yesterday and
heaped the snow, in places 10 or 15 feet deep. After it changed
to the northwest, it reversed the order of things, and completely
shifted the snow heaps. Not a horse passed my store yester-
day— a circumstance which never occurred before, say for twenty-
five years. My hogs are completely immersed in snow, and my
horses are hemmed in with a bank of snow ten feet around my
stable — when I shall get them out remains to be seen. Our
farmers are turning out their teams for an old-fashioned “ Break-
Path,” and when a good road is completed I shall visit you.”
Salem Gazette, Jan. 3, 1854.
[A column-length letter from Asahel Huntington, Mayor of
Salem, replying to the petition of R. A. Merriam and 118 others
and promising to inforce the laws to the best of his ability, is
printed in the Jan. 6th issue of the Salem Gazette.]
Salem Gazette, Jan. 6, 1854.
170 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Cold Weather. At Topsfield, on Sunday morning, at sun-
rise, the mercury in the thermometer of B. P. Adams, Esq., was
at 20 below zero ; at noon it rose to 10 above, after which it
commenced falling, and at sunrise it stood at zero. — At 9 in the
evening, it was 14, and Monday morning, 20 below zero.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 31, 1854.
For the Salem Gazette.
Mr. Editor — I notice, by the papers, that mad dogs are becom-
ing quite numerous of late, and the losses of animals (to say
nothing of human life), are far greater than the worth of all the
dogs in Christendom. Not long since a mad dog passed through
Topsfield, and bit a large fat hog, on the farm of Mr. Thomas
Cass, and in about two weeks the hog was seized with spasms,
making all the attempts in its power to escape from its pen, and
in a few hours died. Several dogs were bitten, some of which
were killed by their owners immediately, while others were per-
mitted to live ; but into about two weeks became rabid, and were
either killed, or died (as they were kept confined by their
owners), and hundreds of people saw them in this condition.
Another mad dog passed through this town some three or four
weeks since, and bit a fine horse, which was (after being bitten),
bought by Mr. John S. Whipple, he not knowing the fact at the
time he made the purchase. After driving the horse, one day
last week, Mr. Whipple discovered that he appeared sick during
the evening, though he went perfectly well during the day. Mr.
W. had not a thought of the true cause of his complaint at the
time, but administered to him a medicine (as he supposed for
another complaint), by drawing his tongue from his mouth with
his hand and inserting the neck of a bottle in his throat and let-
ing the medicine run down. Think of the danger of Mr.
Whipple during this process.
This seemed to deprive the poor animal of all power of gov-
ernment, his ravings were indescribable, he kicked and bit every-
thing within his reach, leaving the print of his teeth in many
places, and at last leaped through a narrow glass window, not
wide enough for him to pass without scraping his hair from both
sides, running at full speed through the town till at last he be-
came exhausted and died. It does seem to me, Mr. Editor, that
this, together with the many other instances lately recorded of
mad dogs, ought to cause to be destroyed many of the worthless
dogs which are so numerous both in Cities and Towns.
Topsfield, April 14, 1854.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 18, 1854.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSEIELD. 171
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, 18th inst, Mrs. Lydia Peabody, widow of the
late Mr. John Peabody, aged 89. Mrs. P. was the oldest inhab-
itant of the town, and the last of the Revolutionary pensioners.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 21, 1854.
Topsfield, June 1, 1854.
The new Methodist E. Church, at Topsfield, which was com-
menced a year ago, is jast completed, and is a beautiful orna-
ment to the town. The dedication is to take place on Wednes-
day, June 14, at half past 10 o’clock, A. M. Sermon on the oc-
casion by the Rev. L. D. Barrows, Lowell.
The house is 75 by 45 and has 70 pews. It has a fine tower,
in which is a splendid bell, from the foundry of H. N. Hooper,
Esq., of Boston. The bell is the gift of sundry members of the
society. The house has a hall, the dimensions of which, are 75
by 45 feet, and all furnished.
The building was erected under the care of a committee, who
hired the workmen by the day ; the work was executed under the
direction of Mr. Jacob Foster, and gives him good credit as an
architect. The inside of the church was handsomely frescoed
by Bartoll & Henderson, of Marblehead ; the painting of the
centre piece is admired by all who have seen it. The pulpit,
chairs and sofa, were furnished and executed by Messrs. Whipple
& Fellows of Salem, and do good credit to these gentlemen, as
furnishers of articles of that kind.
The house is finely carpeted, throughout, by the ladies
of the society ; and one thing worthy of mention is, that the
amount expended for the furnishing of the house was earned by
the ladies of the sewing circle, in closing and binding shoes.
Salem Gazette , June 6, 1854.
TOPSFIELD.
Topsfield, June 27th. The new Methodist Episcopal
Church in this town was dedicated on the 14th day of this
month [June]. And we would remark, that here, as in most
places in New England, Methodism had to struggle against
overshadowing influence of old and pre-established systems
whose selfish and unsympathizing policy has here compelled the
little company of founders to exercise in a high degree the
sublime virtue of endurance, and to wait patiently for their
prosperity.
172 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
The exercises commenced at 10 1-2 o’clock in the following
order, viz : — Voluntary, by the choir. “ Awake, put on thy
strength, 0 Zion,” 1. Invocation, by Rev. Mr. Butler, of
Lynn ; 2. Hymn 964 ; 3. Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Gordon of Dan-
vers ; 4. Anthem, “ I was glad when they said unto me, we will
go into the house of the Lord ;” 5. Reading of the scriptures,
by Rev. Mr. Dadman, of Ipswich ; 6. Hymn 969 ; 7. Sermon,
by Rev. Mr. Barrows, of Lowell; 8. Dedicatory prayer, by Rev.
Mr. Crowell, of Lynn, presiding Elder of the District; 9.
Anthem, “ Now elevate the sign of Judah 10. Benediction,
by the pastor of the church.
The instrumental and vocal music was conducted by Sam’l S.
Mackenzie, Esq., who has been our Chorister for some years,
assisted by several well known musical performers, whose music
was of the highest order.
In addition to what was said in the “ Mercury ” of the 7th,
I would say that the building was erected under the care of a
committee, who hired the workmen by the day; Mr. Graves, of
Boston, was the Architect, the work was executed under the
care of Messrs. Jacob Foster and John H. Potter, and gives
them great credit as carpenters, or master builders.
L.
Salem Gazette, June 30, 1854.
INTEMPERANCE AND DEATH.
Topsfield, July 20, 1854.
There was found, the early part of last week, in a secluded
place, away from any habitation, in the westerly part of Ipswich,
a dead man, with a rum jug lying by his side. The appearance
would indicate that he had been dead several days. He was
discovered by accident, by a man who was driving cattle from
the pasture, and his loathsome remains were taken possession of
by the Overseers of the Poor in Topsfield, and buried on the
town farm. Such is the end of Aaron Cross, a man of about
60 years, who, but for intemperance, might have been respected
in his life and lamented in his death. He was once a keeper
of a victualling cellar in Derby Street, at the head of Union
wharf in Salem, where he saved a sufficient amount of money
to make him independent in his old age ; but he long since spent
his last dollar, and the last few years of his life were spent in
wandering from house to house, drinking rum and cider wher-
ever he could get it, till at last death relieved the community of
him.
Salem Gazette, July 25, 1854.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 173
Danvers and Georgetown Railroad Company.
THE Stockholders of the Danvers and Georgetown Rail-
road Company are hereby notified that their Annual Meeting
will be held at Munday’s Hall, in Topsfield, on WEDNES-
DAY, the 2d day of August next, at two o’clock, P. M., for the
following purposes, viz : —
1st. To choose a Board of Directors for the coming year.
2d. To see if the Company will issue bonds, agreeable to the
act of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, passed April 13th,
1854, entitled “ An Act to authorize Railroad Companies to issue
Bonds,” and authorize the Directors thereto.
3d. To see if the Company will accept the act of the Legis-
lature of this Commonwealth, passed May 2d, 1853, entitled
“ An Act concerning the Newburyport, Danvers and George-
town, and Danvers Railroad Companies,” and to take such action
as they shall deem proper for the purpose of uniting with the
said Danvers and Newburyport Railroad Companies, under said
act; and to do any other things which they are authorized by
said act to do.
4th. To do any other business that may legally come before
them.
Per order,
GEO. F. CHOATE, Clerk.
Salem, July 25, 1854.
Salem Gazette Aug. 1, 1854.
Cowardly Rascality. We learn that a valuable horse, be-
longing to Mr. Samuel Janes, of Topsfield, who runs a Daily
Express between that town and Salem, was maliciously stabbed
in two places, on Tuesday night of last week, by some unknown
hand. A rain had recently fallen, and the horse was turned out
in the evening for the benefit of his feet, and in company with
several other horses, passed the night on or near the Common.
On Wednesday morning he was found bleeding freely from the
wounds, both of which were evidently inflicted with one and
the same knife, and died in the course of the day. There is but
one tone of indignant public sentiment in the town in regard to
this malicious butchering of a useful and valuable horse, and
that is of unqualified reprehension of the cowardly villany that
would prompt to so base an act, for the evident purpose of in-
juring a poor but unoffending fellow townsman. We are glad to
hear that some of the most influential citizens of Topsfield are
174 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
taking prompt and active measures to remunerate Mr. Janes for
at least a portion of his loss. — Reg.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 4, 1854.
DEATHS.
In Portland, 3d inst., Capt. Daniel Cummings, a native of
Topsfield, Mass., aged 80.
Salem Gazette , Jug. 8, 1854.
The Boston Transcript states that the new railroad be-
tween Boston and Newbury port over the Danvers Bailroad and
the Danvers and Georgetown roads, will be opened for public
travel next month. The road is nearly completed, the cars and
engines are on the line, and but a few weeks are required to
complete the track. This line will open a railway communica-
tion through a portion of Essex County not accommodated by
existing lines. The route will be over the Boston and Maine
road to South Beading, near the junction of the Salem and
South Beading roads. From thence the new track runs through
Lynnfield, Tapleyville, North Danvers, Topsfield, Boxford,
Georgetown and Newbury, to Newburyport. On Saturday last,
the cars ran, for the first time, into the village of Topsfield,
from Georgetown.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 15, 1854.
The “ iron horse” arrived, for the first time, at the railroad
station, in the village of Topsfield, on Thursday last ; and in
the course of this week it is expected it may reach Danvers
Plains.
Salem Gazette , Aug. 22, 1854.
TOPSFIELD.
Topsfield, Aug. 19.
Our Georgetown, Topsfield and Danvers Bailroad, is just
drawing to a completion. The whistle of the engine has, for
the first time, within a week, disturbed the quiet slumbers of
our village. The rails are now laid as far as the Ipswich Biver,
south of the village, one mile. In one week more, the rails
will be laid as far as North Danvers ; and by the first day of
September, the cars will commence running over the road ;
which will be a day of much interest to the towns, through
which it passes. — The distance from Newburyport to Boston
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 175
will be, by this route, thirty-four miles, or two miles farther
than by Newburyport Turnpike. This road is said to be one
of the best graded roads in the country, and from present ap-
pearance, promises all that its friends ever claimed for it.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the President and
Directors of this company, for the manner in which they have
carried the matter so near to its final completion.
L
Salem Gazette , Aug. 22, 1854.
DANVERS and GEORGETOWN RAILROAD.
Topsfield, Aug. 31, 1854.
The passenger cars on the Danvers and Georgetown Railroad,
ran yesterday, for the first time, between Topsfield and George-
town, to carry a party of one hundred and fifty to a picnic in
Little’s Grove.
It is understood that the whole line of the road will be com-
pleted on Friday, and that the cars will run to Boston on
Saturday. L.
Salem Gazette , Sept, j, 1854.
OPENING OF THE GEORGETOWN , DANVERS &
SOUTH READING RAILROAD.
Correspondence of the Salem Gazette.
Topsfield, Sept. 2d, 1854.
Mr. Editor — By the polite invitation of the President and
Directors of the above companies, I took the cars at Topsfield,
early in the afternoon of September 1st, for South Reading, for
the purpose of making an experimental trials of the above roads ;
and believing that a few notes by the way might be interesting
to you, and the numerous readers of your valuable journal, I
offer them for publication. At the station at Topsfield large
numbers had assembled to witness our departure, and to congra-
ulate us on the prospect of the pleasure of the excursion. We
glided finely along, and the first place of particular note that
we came to was what was formerly called Blind Holey but lat-
terly named Putnamville. There we passed through a formida-
ble ledge, of the hardest granite, which has yielded to the in-
fluence of the hammer and drill. After little delay at Porter’s
plain, we passed on to North Danvers, where several hundred
had assembled to witness our arrival, which was greeted with
cheers.
176 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
From North Danvers we started for Tapleyville, and on our
arrival at the depot we were hailed with much joy. Our demon-
stration was by a noble fire company, out on duty, waiting our
arrival.
From hence we passed on to that famous place, which has
been visited by thousands the past summer, called “ Needham's
Hill Here we had an opportunity to witness what skill,
perserverance and industry had accomplished to divide this
monster of a hill, and let the iron horse pass on without moles-
tation.
The next place of note that we arrived at was that famous
place known to the ancient’s as the Devil's Dishfull , but to
modern travellers as Brook Dale. The inhabitants must be very
much benefitted by this road.
A few puffs of the iron horse, brought us to Lynnfield depot.
At this place we found flags flying and numbers had assembled
to greet us onward.
From this place we moved smoothly on, and shortly arrived
at South Reading , where we stopped for the space of an hour,
to wood-up and to exchange congratulations with the friends,
upon the success of this brilliant and successful enterprise.
We then started homeward bound, and arrived safely at our
destination. It is worthy of note that from the appearances
upon the route, the road will be well patronized, and most
assuredly it should be for the perservance with which the work
has been executed ; for, like all public works, it has had its
enemies to contend with, both in single and corporate capacities ;
but under the management of its gentlemanly and obliging
officers, it must arrive at a good state of prosperity, and be one
of the crowning roads of the county.
The gentlemen from Newburyport, who accompanied the ex-
cursion train, were well pleased with the appearances of the
country, and the road, and the new facilities that it will offer
them to enter Boston at a convenient place.
L.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 5, 1854.
On Thursday afternoon, a barn owned by Henry Towne of
Topsfield, was accidently fired by a small boy, and the barn
with its contents was destroyed. The barn was valued at $300,
contents $750. No insurance.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 12, 1854.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 177
GEEAT SALE OF TEEES.
From Lake’s Celebrated Topsiield Nurseries. Will be offered
at Public Auction, on SATUEDAY, Oct. 14th, at 10 o’clock
A. M.,—
A large variety of TEEES, consisting in part of Pear, Plum,
Peach, Apple, and Cherry; also. Apricots and Nectarines; also,
superior Apple Trees. The Cherry Trees are of a superior
variety.
JUi^This sale will offer great inducements, as every thing sold
will be in good condition and the variety complete.
— Also at 9 o’clock, —
A lot of Furniture, &c.
Cash advanced on consignments.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 10, 1854.
Great Yield of Apples. We learn that there has been
gathered the present week, from a single apple, upon the farm
of Mr. Nehemiah Perkins, in Topsfield, the extraordinary
quantity of one hundred bushels (40 barrels) of apples ; The
tree has always been a great bearer, frequently producing from
50 to 60 bushels. The fruit is of a tart flavor and moderate
size ; the tree is about 50 year old.
Salem Gazette, Oct. 17, 1854.
The Danvers Eailroad is to be opened on Monday next,
agreeably to the notice which will be found in another column,
and there will be six trains between Boston and North Danvers
daily. Trains between Salem, South Danvers and Boston, will
be run in connection with the above trains, via the Salem and
Lowell Eailroad, connecting at West Danvers Junction. The
Danvers and Georgetown E. E. opens the same day.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 20, 1854.
OVER THE NEW RAILROADS.
The new railroads, as we have before stated, open a new
communication between several of the towns of Essex county,
never before visited by the locomotive. By the new route to
Boston you first proceed over the Salem and Lowell Eailroad,
passing the usual stations upon that road, to West Danvers. At
this junction the train from Salem is attached to another from
Newbury port, and is thus conveyed over the new road to South
Eeading, where it passes over the Boston and Maine road into
178 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Boston. The intermediate stations between West Danvers and
South Reading, are “ Brookdale” (the settlement about the
woolen factory, and part of West Danvers commonly called
the “ Dishful” we believe), and Lynnfield Centre — a village of
the town of Lynnfield, about two miles from the hotel. These
localities have never before been connected by railroad with any
other point.
The West Danvers junction is in the midst of woods and
thickets, but presents a very business like appearance in the
railroad line, to those passengers who have occasion to change
cars for Newburyport, or any of the towns in that direction.
That part of the line between South Reading and Georgetown
is newly built — the new Danvers and Georgetown road extending
from the latter town to North Danvers, and the Danvers road
from North Danvers to South Reading, connecting there with
the Boston and Maine road, to which the Danvers has been
leased.
The cars from Boston for Salem over this route are connected
with the trains for Newburyport, and are switched off at the
West Danvers junction, to the Lowell road, while the remainder
of the train, making first a brief stop, continues on the straight
course. We have stated this for the information of those who
do not thoroughly understand the modus operandi of the new
arrangement.
Taking a comfortable seat in one of the splendid new cars, in
company with a good number of “ regulars” and “ invited
guests,” we proceed to the direction of Newburyport. Most of
the railroad routes in this State present an attractive soenery to
the passenger, characterised, however, by a certain sameness re-
lieved only by an occasional arrival at some thrifty settlement,
which may present some particular object worthy of a passing
note. As strangers passing over this road in trains which do
not stop at every station, sometimes inquire the names of the
various settlements, we would state that the first after leaving
the junction, is Tapleyville, or “ Danvers Centre” — a village de-
voted, like most of the small towns of Essex county, to shoe
manufacturing, and farming. The next settlement is at “ Dan-
vers Plains,” where you cross the track of the Essex Railroad,
the depot of which is but a short distance to the south-east. As
you pass on from here, a few settlements and shoe manufactu-
res may be observed upon the left, which is known to the Dan-
vers “ natives,” as “ Putnamville” — one of those designations
given probably in honor of the family whose name is largely in
the preponderance in the locality, and another so necessary to
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 179
distinguish the various villages embraced in the extensive area
of land within the precincts of Danvers town.
The next stopping place is at
TOPSFIELD.
As a more extended notice of the before mentioned places has
been published in this paper, we cannot forbear jumping out at
this station to pass a few hours in the company of those friends
whom we occasionally meet in Salem upon their business visits,
usually to obtain a supply of the various articles for which their
own stores often receive a “ call.”
Topsfield is a very pretty little country town, abounding in
hills and plains, of which one may obtain an excellent and ex-
tended view from several of the hills and more elevated roads in
the vicinity. A mile and a half to the westward of the main
settlement, is the Boyden stock farm — devoted exclusively to
the raising of live stock. Horses, pigs, and cattle of all kinds
may here gratify the sight of those who delight in these hobbies,
and some excellent specimens of these several animals may be
here examined. A couple of noble stallions one of which took a
prize at the last cattle show, are among the varieties, and the
latter of these, is one of the most beautifully formed animals
that we ever beheld.
Passing down from this farm upon the Newbury port turnpike
you have occasion to pass over the arched bridge over the Ips-
wich river. This bridge was built a year or two ago at a very
considerable expense both to the county, and the town of Tops-
field, we believe. It is a very substantial structure, and will
undoubtedly endure for ages. “ Lake’s Hill” is somewhat near-
er the village, and is probably so called from the name of the
proprietors of the celebrated nurseries in the vicinity. The steep
roadway leading from these orchards affords an excellent view
of the village and its two spires, so necessary to contribute a
sort of “finishing touch” to a New England country town.
Among the neat houses in Topsfield, that of Wm. N. Cleave-
land, Esq. would probably strike one’s eye as combining a
unique and general orderly appearance. The extensive, well
enclosed lands possess a peculiar charm, both from their situa-
tion, and the neat manner in which they are kept. A new house
is being erected near by, also, by John Gr. Hood, Esq.
Topsfield is possessed of about five public schools, and one ac-
ademy which qualifies its pupils for college. This academy has
been built about twenty years. There are two churches here,
one of which — the Methodists’ — was dedicated no longer ago
than last June. Farmiug and shoe- making constitute the chief
180 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
business of the place, and in the latter branch of industry, Chas.
Herrick’s establishment is the most extensive. Munday’s
butchery, near the depot, is probably the largest concern of its
kind in the vicinity, supplying, to a great extent, many of the
Salem and other dealers. About ten thousand sheep are slaugh-
tered annually at this establishment, and we were informed that
no inconsiderable amount of duties was paid annually for the
stock brought from the Canadas. The jocular friend who ac-
companied us insisted upon our taking a sharp scrutiny of the
full proportions of the chief proprietor of this concern, for the
purpose of giving him a “puff;” but, as he would weigh from
two to three hundred pounds, extra puffing is deemed unneces-
sary.
There are but two grocery stores kept in Topsfield — one by
Mr. Kimball (formerly Kimball & Gould), and the other by B.
P. Adams, Esq. It would have afforded us much pleasure to
have passed an evening with our friend Adams, enjoying the
rich treat which must be afforded in listening to the threadbare
yarns and village gossip of the “ settlers,” who are quite as
capable of talking, at least,
“ with looks profound,”
upon the current subjects of political interest. But time would
not permit of this ; and we have only to keep this entertainment
in anticipation, as another opportunity may soon be offered of
passing the social evening, as well as bestowing a scrutiny upon
the imvisited “Long Wharf.”
Topsfield is one of the towns never visited by the locomotive
previous to the opening of the Georgetown road. With the lei-
sure of the evening, therefore, many of the people, old and
young, congregate at the depot to witness the arrival and de-
parture of the trains, as they undoubtedly present the same nov-
elty to many of the good folks of Topsfield that they did to a
large portion of the Salemites when the Eastern road was first
opened.
Leaving Topsfield, the cars will take you to Boxford, the next
station on the route, and a town which sends much ship timber
to Newbury port and Essex, and from thence to Georgetown, the
terminus of the Danvers and Georgetown road. By the New-
buryport and Georgetown road, however, trains connect with
Haverhill, Bradford, Groveland, Byfield, and Newburyport.
Several of the depots along the road are as yet unfinished, but
will probably be completed in a short time. Those of our citizens
who devote a month or two of each year to time-killing at New-
port and Niagara, will do well to improve the opportunity now
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 181
offered, and bestow a single visit, at least, upon the towns of
their own county.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 31, 1854.
VALUATION OF TOPSFIELD.
The Assessors of Topsfield for the present year, have made
the valuation of the Town, viz :
Real Estate, $384,990
Personal Estate, 208,100
Total Value, $593,090
on which has been assessed at 60 per cent, a tax including State
and County of $3,558 27
and on 297 Polls at 1.50 each 445 50
making an amount of
$4,003 77
of which ain’t, the Town taxes are
County taxes,
State taxes,
$3,079 77
672 00
252 00
$4,003 77
List of names of those persons in Topsfield whose taxes are
$25.00 and upwards.
B. P. Adams, $37.35 ; Sam’l Adams, 28.50 ; Mrs. Sophronia
Averell, 28.01; Mrs. Mary Ames, 42.60; Abraham Balch,
32.37 ; Perley Balch, 31.80 ; Joseph W. Batchelder, 25.87 ;
Dudley Bradstreet, 37.89 ; Wm. Bradstreet, jr., 29.64; Frederic
Boyden, 83.07 ; William Cummings, 32.10 ; Humphrey Clarke,
26.67 ; John Dwinell, 54.12 ; Samuel Gould, 31.98 ; Charles
Herrick, 91.20 ; John Lamson, 49.60; R. A. Merriain, 34.41;
William Mundy, 58.35 ; Benj. C. Orne, 28.11 ; Joel R. Peabody,
26.76; Asa Pingree, 346.63; Moses Pettingill, 43.20; Mrs.
Molly Perkins, 29.40 ; David Perkins, 25.77 ; Bichard Phillips,
jr., 27.57; Israel Bea, 37.62; Willard Smith, 34.53; Eben W.
Towne, 25.36; David Towne, 48.12 ; Benj. B. Towne. 33.27;
Alfred P. Towne, 31.71; Jacob P. Towne, 44.81; Wildes &
Bartlett, 27.83 ; Moses Wildes, 182.22; John Wright, 73.03;
Moses Putnam (Danvers), 26.67 ; John Cleaveland (Hew York),.
33.72.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 7, 1854.
182 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
A Musical Convention, is to be held at the Congregational
Church, in Topsfield, on Monday, Nov. 27th, commencing at 9
o’clock, A. M., under the direction of Mr. B. F. Baker, assisted
by Messrs. S. B. Ball and Charles Henderson, and Mrs. J. H.
Long, of Boston.
The object of the Convention, as set forth in a circular by the
conductors, is to impart instruction in Music, and to awaken a
more intelligent interest in singing as a part of public worship,
to study and practise with reference to skill and taste in musical
performance, and to promote a more uniform and consistent
style in Singing. A Concert will be given in the evening.
Conventions of this sort are calculated to produce good re-
sults for the improvement of musical taste in the community,
and it is hoped this opportunity for the furtherance of an object
so desirable, will not be neglected by the citizens of
Essex County.
Salem Gazette, Nov. 24, 1854.
Fatal Accident. We are informed by Mr. Janes of the
Topsfield Express, that an accident of a very painful nature,
occurred in that town, on Thursday last. A young man named
John Andrews, aged 16 years, son of Mr. Moody Andrews, of
Topsfield, was in the fields for the purpose of shooting game,
having loaded his gun, he laid it upon the ground, and shortly
afterwards seeing a squirrel near by, he took hold of the gun
near the muzzle and attempted to draw it towards him, when
the hammer struck a stone or bush, causing it to explode, the
whole charge entering near the region of the heart, and causing
death in a few minutes. He is represented as a young man of
much promise, and the bereavement to the family is truly
afflictive. The agony of the father who was present with him
at the time was agonizing. — Obs.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 28, 1854.
From the Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil.
MB. BOYDEN’S PLACE, TOPSFIELD, MASS.
Use of Hazel-Bods by Mr. Willard.
Messrs. Editors : Having just returned from a visit to my
friend, Fred’k Boyden, of Topsfield, you will please accept some
crayon-sketches of his freehold, and some of his animals. It
is the old Crowninshield Farm and mansion including some two
hundred acres, capable of yielding as many tons of English
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 183
hay, beside all that’s needed for pasture, tillage, and a spacious
garden, with a great and choice variety of fruit trees, shrub-
bery, and vines, accessible by walks which have been sown with
salt, so that not a weed or spire of grass impedes the pleasant
rambles. It is one large swell of land. The buildings are on
the eastern slope, near the greatest elevation, surrounded by
many kinds of ornamental trees, among which the fir and maple
are conspicuous on the avenues ; apple trees by the walls inclos-
ing and dividing this extensive and princely domain, which was
built at the expense of some thousands. The land is generally
rich and productive, having suffered little from the drought, so
extensively and long prevalent.
It was to designate a spot where to dig for a spring of living
water, that I was requested to visit his premises, that might, if
possible, be brought to his barns in pipes, where his large stock
is now supplied by a chain pump from a well 40 feet deep, re-
quiring the labor of one man a great part of his time. In this
I succeeded by the use of mineral rods, finding a vein of water
25 feet deep, running towards the barn, from the height of land,
till within 12 feet of the surface. From this point it may be
conveyed with a strong pressure to his stable, and after accom-
modating his large herd of swine in the barnyard under them,
waste into a reservoir. I might add, several gentlemen were
present during the examination, from several towns, who wit-
nessed the operation of the rod, and the highly satisfactory re-
sults. After which I examined the grounds of another gentle-
man, who had thought he would spare no expense for an aque-
duct, if he could bring water into his chamber. After long and
carefully traversing his premises, we succeeded in finding a
spring sufficiently elevated for his purpose. This took most of
the day and demonstrated to the most skeptical the merits of
the immense labor-saving operation, as a reliable way of ascer-
taining these subterranean channels, or springs of living water.
In some cases, we would trace a vein by the perpendicular at-
traction of the rods, occasionally setting stakes, and ascertain
its depth by stations on each side, where the attraction would be
horizontally according to the distance from the stakes over the
vein. In one case we found the attraction towards a single
point, from any station within fifty feet ; hence we concluded
there was a boiling spring.
I was highly gratified by inspecting some fifty of Mr. Boyden’s
pigs, and by learning their pedigree to be unquestionable. They
are pure Suffolk, from the Stickney importation. The best
plates I have ever seen are a fair daguerreotype of some of his
184 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
boars. He has one. three years old, as nearly perfect as could
be desired. Most of his pigs are from this beautiful sire. I
could not leave till I had selected a pair from a favorite sow,
which I expect soon to receive by the cars, and feed with pleas-
ure. He has sold some to go to Iowa. We must esteem him a
tl benefactor,” who furnishes the sire and dam of a breed gain-
ing two pounds of fat per day, with the same feed that would,
in any other breed, gain one, no less than he who does the same
in grass.
When we had taken tea, I feared we should miss the cars, as
the railroad station of Beaver Brook was three miles distant. He
said “ No ” — harnessed his stallion — 19 years old — looked at
his watch, said, “ Time enough.” True ; we were there in twelve
minutes, under a check rein. He showed me his young stud,
“ Tricolor.” The next day was Cattle-Show at Lawrence, and I
noticed since, in the Massachusetts Ploughman , “ The first pre-
mium, $20, for best stallion, ‘ Tricolor,’ was awarded to Fred-
erick Boyden, of Topsfield.” I saw some of the stock of both
his old and young horse, two year old colts, that he said could
not be bought for $200 each !
Yours truly,
Benjamin Willard.
Lancaster , Mass., Oct. J/., 185 If.
Salem Gazette, Nov. 30, 1854.
O^gPThe last of the old stage drivers, — Mr. Isaac Pinkham, —
who has for so many years kept up the reputation of the craft
for fidelity and obliging attention to business, has at last sur-
rended, and commenced yesterday the conveyance of the mail
between Salem and Haverhill, by the way of the Danvers and
Georgetown Bailroad. He will continue as heretofore to attend
to any business that may be entrusted to him.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 2, 1855.
Mr. Pinkham. — This venerable and faithful old stager, who
has run a carriage between Haverhill and Salem, about 29 years,
has concluded to take off his nags, and hitch himself on to cars
drawn by iron horses on the Newbury port and Danvers railroad.
He is a faithful, honest, and trustworthy carrier and will do
errands as usual. — Banner.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 2, 1855.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 185
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Mr. Jacob Symonds, aged 72 years, 10 mos.— he
has been a market man to Salem for the last fifty years, and was
highly esteemed as an honest man and worthy citizen.
Salem Gazette, Jan . 9, 1855.
[Mail arrangements at Salem. Haverhill and Topsfield mail
arrives at 12 M. ; closes at 2£ P. M.]
Salem Gazette , Jan. 9, 1855.
SALEM and HAVERHILL.
MR. PHSTKHAM, having given up his stage line, now passes
daily over the road to Haverhill, by the way of the Danvers and
Georgetown Railroad, leaving Salem at half past 2 o’clock,
P. M., and Haverhill, at half past 7, A. M. He will continue, as
heretofore, to attend to any business that may be entrusted to
him.
Salem Gazette , Jan. 9, 1855.
The passage of the cars upon the Newburyport Railroad,
which has been interrupted since the late freshet, by the destruc-
tion of the bridge over Ipswich river, in Topsfield, was regularly
resumed yesterday.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 2, 1855.
DEATHS.
In Topsfield, Mr. Solomon Averill, aged 85 years, 7 months.
Mrs. Rebecca Lake, aged 89 years and 6 months, the oldest per-
son in town. She was a specimen of that class of persons who
were raised at a time when the physical constitution was formed
capable of endurance. She was never sick with a fever during
her long life and her last illness were the four last days of her
life. She had been able to move about with comparative ease
and visited her friends at a distance from her home a few weeks
before her death.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 6, 1855.
TOPSFIELD.
Correspondence of the Salem Gazette.
The annual Town meeting was held in Topsfield on Monday,
when the following list of officers was chosen.
Moderator. —Joel Lake.
Town Clerk. — Jacob P. Towne.
186 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Selectmen. — Andrew Gould ; S. S. Mackenzie ; B. B. Towne.
Overseers. — Andrew Gould ; E. F. Perkins ; L. H. Gould.
School Committee. — J. H. Healey; Rev. S. G. Hyler; Josiah
Bradstreet ; Israel Ray ; Alfred P. Towne.
Assessors. — John G. Hood ; R. D. Perkins ; John Wright.
Treasurer. — Benj. Kimball.
Collector. — Samuel Adams.
Constables. — Joel Lake ; R. D. Perkins ; M. P. Towne.
By the “ underground telegraph ” I learn that the K. N. party
met last Saturday evening, for the purpose of nominating a list
to be voted for, but the 44 Wilson element ” entering into their
deliberations broke them up, without making any nomination.
So that our election passed off on the old fashioned principles,
and the result was that we chose a board of officers from among
our best citizens, who are capable of discharging their duties.
Our friends, who were so numerous last fall, have been in —
“ seen Sam ” and find him the same old impostor that has been
about for several years.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 9, 1855.
The Osier Willow. Mr. J. Lake, of the Topsfield Nursery,
brought to our office, yesterday, a rod of the Osier or Basket
Willow, 8^ feet in length, a specimen of thirty stocks, grown
in the space of eighteen square inches of well cultivated land.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 27, 1855.
Accident in Boxford. — On Monday, as Mr. Moses P. Towne
of Topsfield, was tending a circular saw at Kimball & Sawyer’s
mill, in Boxford, his hand came in contact with it in turning
carelessly round, taking off all his fingers on one hand, at the
second joint. The saw was revolving at a speed of 1600 revolu-
tions a minute.
This mill was formerly a peg factory, owned and conducted by
Mr. Wm. Sawyer. A steam engine has been recently introduced
into it, to aid in carrying on a new branch of business which has
been substituted — that of sawing, and making boxes.
Salem Gazette . Mar. 30, 1855.
FRUIT TREES.
For sale, at the Topsfield Nurseries, the following kinds of
Trees : —
29,000 Apple Trees, smooth and handsome, from $10 to $25
per hundred ;
500 Peach Trees ;
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSEIELD. 187
300 Cherry Trees ;
1,000 Dwarf Pear Trees ;
900 Standard Pear Trees, extra growth and beauty ;
200 Plum Trees ;
200 Sugar Maple.
O^p^All orders, by mail or otherwise, promptly attended to.
Some of the above Trees are for sale at the store of A. Kaine,
No. 35 Exchange street, Boston.
Topsfield, March 27, 1855.
LAKE & CO.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 30, 1855.
DEATHS.
In Dorchester on Friday evening, Hon. David Cummins,
formerly of Salem, for many years a Judge of the C. C. Pleas,
aged 69. Mr. C. was a native of Topsfield, Mass. ; he graduated
at Dartmouth College ; studied law in Salem, where he estab-
lished himself in the practice of law, and for many years was one
of the leading members of the Essex bar, in connection with such
men as Pickering and Saltonstall, and for many years probably
did the most extensive law business in the county.
Salem Gazette , Apr. 3, 1855.
MAY DAY IN TOPSFIELD.
Correspondence of the Mercury.
May day was celebrated by the scholars of the Topsfield
Academy, by a social gathering in the evening, at the Academy
Hall ; and we have seldom seen a collection of handsomer ladies
or more gallant gentlemen. Everything was conducted in the
most orderly manner reflecting great credit upon the managers,
Messrs. G-. W. Atherton and J. P. Peabody, and they have for
their reward the assurance, that it was a source of unalloyed
pleasure to all. present. This school was never in a more pros-
perous condition. The number of scholars this term is 102.
The Principal, Eev. J. W. Healy is a model Teacher. We wish
him success. The examination is to come off on Wednesday,
the 16th inst. A general invitation is given.
S. R.
Salem Gazette , May 11, 1855.
Topsfield Academy. We have been favored with a catalogue
of this institution, which was founded in 1828, and is located
in one of the pleasantest towns in Essex County. It contains
the names of 77 females and 76 males, as pupils for the Academ-
188 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
ical year 1855. The Classical Department numbers 34, and
the English 150. The aggregate for the past year was 293,
viz : Summer Term, 50; Fall, 69; Winter, 72 ; Spring, 102. The
principal is Joseph W. Healy, who has a strong and numerous
corps of assistant teachers.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 15, 1855.
For the Essex County Mercury.
TOPSFIELD ACADEMY.
Under the successful administration of the present Principal,
Rev. J. W. Healey, this school has attained a character which
deserves the most decided commendation.
The examination which came off on the 16th inst., was very
pleasant and satisfactory. Music has been introduced this term
as a regular exercise, under the instruction of J. P. Peabody.
Some fine pieces were sung at the examination, which did
them great credit. We were much pleased with the class in
English Composition. This was a large class, and every ques-
tion was answered correctly. This class has been under the
charge of Mrs. Healey, and has evidently made much progress.
The manner in which the parsing class acquitted themselves was
with credit to themselves and teacher. The scholars were evi-
dently much attached to their teacher. There was life and en-
ergy on the part of both teacher and scholars, which rendered
the exercises highly interesting. The presence at the examina-
tion of a goodly number of the town was a pleasing evidence of
the regard had for the principal and his labors. The summer
term commences on the 23d inst. S. R.
Topsfield, May, 1855.
Salem Gazette , May 22, 1855.
O^p^The Salem Association of Ministers held a convention at
Topsfield on Wednesday, at the Congregational Meeting House.
Reports were made on the condition of the churches and on the
contributions of Missions, and remarks were offered by Rev. Dr.
Worcester of Salem, R. P. Waters, Esq., of Beverly, and others.
A sermon was preached in the afternoon, by Rev. Mr. Allen of
Marblehead.
Salem Gazette , June 22, 1855.
On Friday last, a lad named Joseph Dana Weed, while play-
ing about a car standing at the depot, in Topsfield, accidentally
fell and broke his leg. The boy is now doing well.
Salem Gazette , June 29, 1855.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 189
The Weather continued comfortably cool till yesterday, and
on Sunday we had a very pleasant little rain, commencing at
about twelve o’clock ; but although the surface of the earth was
moistened the drought is unbroken. We hear complaints of it
from all parts of the county. In Topsfield it is considered to
be as great as was ever known. The inlet and outlet of Hood’s
pond are perfectly dry, — a circumstance not remembered by
“ the oldest inhabitant’’ to have occurred before. Pasturage is
short, on account of the drought, but crops are not suffering.
The appearances of rot have entirely gone from the potato fields.
We are sorry to learn that the fire which was set in the swamp
grounds in Topsfield, Hamilton, and Wenham, known as Bunk-
er’s Meadow, is still spreading in the dry peaty ground and
among the woods in that region.
Salem Gazette , Sept. 14, 1855.
A few days ago Messrs. Francis Gould and Hiram Wells,
while returning to Topsfield, in a hand car, from some repairs
which they had been making on the Newburyport and George-
town railroad, were seriously bruised by being thrown from the
car. The disaster was caused by the accidental dropping of a
crowbar from the front of the car, which falling in front of the
wheels caused an instant stoppage of the car, causing them to be
thrown violently several feet in advance. Fortunately, they
both escaped broken bones.
Salem Gazette , Oct . 12, 1855.
A correspondent in Topsfield complains that some evil dis-
posed persons have poisoned the dogs of Messrs. Pettingill, Mil-
ton, Wyatt, and others.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 16, 1855.
Hay, Oxen, Bull, Cows, Heifers, Farm tools, &c.
The subscriber, having recently purchased the Beal Estate
owned by Abraham Balch, in Topsfield, and the Personal Es-
tate upon said premises, will sell at Public Auction, on
WEDNESDAY, the 7th day of November next, at 12 o’clock,
M., at the aforesaid premises, —
THE FOLLOWING ABTICLES, to wit :
About 8 tons English Hay ; 15 do. Meadow Hay ; 5 do. Salt
Hay ; a lot of Oat Straw ; a lot of Corn Stalks. Also, 2 yoke
Oxen; 1 Bull; 6 cows; 5 superior Heifers; 1 Ox Wagon; 2
Carts ; 2 Sleds ; 1 Iron-Toothed Harrow ; 1 Koad Scraper or
Shovel ; and all the Ploughs, Yokes, Iron Bars, Chains, Forks,
&c. ; upon the said premises.
190 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
Also, at the same time,
2 four-wheeled Chaise ; 100 to 200 bushels Potatoes ; 50 to
100 do. Corn ; and a variety of other articles.
Conditions made known at the time and place of sale.
JOHN WEIGHT.
Topsfield, Oct. 16, 1855.
Salem Gazette , Oct . 16, 1855.
Por the Salem Gazette.
Topsfield Academy. The semi-annual examination of this
Institution took place on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 19 and
20th.
We were present during the entire exercises, all of which were
of a high order.
The several classes showed that they had been subject to a
judicious and thorough discipline. There are several young
men in this Academy, in a course of preparation for College.
The compositions and declamations were excellent. We were
peculiarly interested in the spirited and elocutionary declama-
tions of Messrs. Clark, Pierce, Gleason, Putnam and Hardy.
In the evening, the students gave a Levee, which was at-
tended by some 200 students and invited guests.
Judging from the character of the exercises, and the vast num-
ber of citizens and other friends of the Institution, we should
judge that this school had never a stronger hold upon, or better
deserved the sympathy and patronage of its friends, then at
present.
And we believe, under the judicious management of its popu-
lar Principal, Mr. Healey, it will, as in the past, rank among the
first Academies in our States.
An Observer.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 23, 1855.
FAEM for Sale.
A FAEM pleasantly situated in Topsfield, on the main road
leading from Salem to Boxford, about half a mile from the vil-
lage and railroad depot. Said Farm consists of about seventy
acres of land, suitably divided into tillage, mowing, pasture, and
meadow land, and a valuable peat meadow; a two-story house, in
good repair, and a barn, 60 by 30 feet, with a cellar under a part
of it ; shoemaker’s shop, grainery, and other out-buildings. The
Farm is fenced with a good stone wall, and contains a variety of
fruit trees. There are two wells of water — one at the house, the
other at the barn.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 191
Said Farm will be sold on reasonable terms.
For further particulars, inquire of the subscriber, on the prem-
ises.
SILAS LAKE.
Salem Gazette , Feb. 5, 1856.
Topsfield Tax-Payers.
The following list of tax-payers in Topsfield comprises those
who pay a tax of $20 and upwards. The rate of taxation is 60
cents on $100. The whole number of polls in the town is 321.
Poll tax, $1.50.
Benj. P. Adams
$ 37 87
Sam’l Adams
34 33
Sophrona Averill
27 57
Mary Ames
21 19
Abraham Balch
32 56
Dudley Bradstrect
39 08
Perley Balch
29 36
David B. Balch
51 85
J. W. Batchelder
25 28
Wm. Bradstreet, Jr.
30 10
Frederick Boyden
76 34
Wm. Cummings
32 38
Humphrey Clark
27 01
Isaac J. Clapp
20 67
John Cleaveland, N. Y.
33 78
John D win ell
35 72
Andrew Gould
24 23
J. P. Gould
30 47
Sam'l Gould
38 51
Charles Herrick
113 00
Wm. E. Kimball
25 09
David Lake
21 50
John Lamson
51 68
B. A. Merriam
34 59
Wm. Munday
55 80
Moses Pettengail
44 23
Joel R. Peabody
27 19
Marcia Peabody
20 09
Asa Pingree
248 58
Estate of Jacob Perkins
21 86
Daniel Perkins
25 67
Molly Perkins
29 09
Dudley Perkins
24 97
192
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Judith Perkins
$22 48
David Perkins
24 01
A. S. Peabody
36 69
Richard Phillips, Jr.
23 66
Israel Rea
37 53
Willard Smith
32 78
David Towne
49 72
Benj. B. Towne
33 54
Alfred P. Towne
55 72
Jacob P. Towne
44 83
Wildes C. Bartlett
27 69
Moses Wildes
200 12
Humphrey Wildes
21 50
John Wright
78 55
Salem Gazette , Mar. 7, 1856.
Guardian’s Sale.
By order of Probate Court, will be sold at Public Auction , on
MONDAY, the 31st day of March inst., at 1 o’clock, P. M., on
the premises,
All the right and title that Mary J. Tucker and Arthur R.
Tucker, minors, have in and to one undivided fourth part of all
the Real Estate of which John Con ant, late of Topsfield, yeo-
man, deceased, died seized.
Said estate consists of the Farm, containing about ninety acres
of land, with a good dwelling house, barn and other buildings
thereon, all in good repair. Said farm being well apportioned
into tillage, pasturage, and wood land, the latter having a fine
growth of oak and pine wood thereon.
Also, one undivided fourth part of about twelve acres of Pas-
ture Land, situated in Topsfield, near the house of H. B. Perkins.
Also, one undivided fourth part of about ten acres of Meadow,
and Wood Land, situated in Ipswich, near the house of Israel
Wildes.
Also, the undivided fourth part of two parcels of Salt Marsh,
situated in Ipswich — one containing about four acres, the other
three acres.
Also, the undivided fourth part of the residue of ten acres of
Wood Land, situated in Topsfield.
The sale of the several parcels of the outlands will be at the
dwelling-house, after the sale of their portion of the farm.
Conditions made known at the time of sale.
RICHARD TDCKER, Guardian.
( To be continued.')
VITAL STATISTICS OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
FOR THE YEAR 19H.
1910.
Dec. 7.
191 1.
Jan. 8.
Jan. 29.
Feb. 3.
Mar. 3.
Mar. 26.
Apr. 11.
Apr. 29.
June 2.
June 3.
June 11.
July 31-
Aug. 3.
Aug. 7.
Aug. 9.
Aug. 13.
Aug. 27.
Sept. 8.
Sept. 12.
Dec. 9.
Dec. 21.
BIRTHS.
Dorothy Graves, dau. of Fred C. and Jessie M. (Killam) Burnham.
son of Malcom N. and Miriam (Tenney) Huse.
Alexander, son of Thomas and Maria A. (Spiridiliozzi) Longo.
Douglas Cameron, son of John R. and Bertha E. A. (Mellish) Mac-
Cormack.
Margaret Naomi, dau. of Ottis T. and Abbie N. (Longacre) Martin.
Harland E., son of Harland S. and Maude (Fuller) Pierce.
Thomas E., son of Thomas A. and Annie V. (O’Donnell) Pierce.
Richard Wentworth, son of Ernest H. and Marion W. (Peirce)
Pentecost.
Muriel Dorothy, dau. of Forrest W. and Alice L. (Perkins) Rust.
Ciriaco, son of Pietro A. and Emmanuella (Matteio) DeCissi.
dau. of Max and Mildred (Morrill) Scovill.
Charles Carey, son of T. Jesse and Edith A. (Smith) Fuller.
Margaret E., dau. of Rollin and Sadie M. (Barnes) Winters.
Anne, dau. of Thomas L. and Lucy M. (Garbutt) Jenkins.
Philomena, dau. of Alphonse and Grazia (Paglia) Roberto.
Domenico, son of Antonio and Philomena (Santo-Nicolo) Scoozlio.
son of Arthur F. and Leonie A. (Cruchet) Perkins.
Florence Marsh, dau. of Eugene M. and Daisy L. (Dow) Dow.
Florence Maud, dau. of Harold and Maud A. (Leaper) Keywood.
Annie Louise, dau. of Melvin W. and Bessie E. (Welch) Smerage.
Virginia Irene, dau. of George P. and Freda M. (Welch) Parlin.
194
VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1911.
MARRIAGES.
191 1.
May 18.
June 3.
June 7.
Aug. 9.
Aug. 14.
Aug. 19.
Aug. 28.
Sept. 27.
f Charles H. Langhill, (Fitchburg), son of Leonard and Annie
J (Fogo) Langhill.
] Elizabeth McFarland (Topsfield), dau. of William and Mary
[ (Girvan) McFarland.
f Harry W. Perkins (Topsfield), son of Justin W. and Emma F.
(Scates) Perkins.
j Elsie V. Tarbox (Sharon), dau. of Horace W. and Lizzie E.
t (Lane) Tarbox.
f Henry B. Northey (Salem), son of William and Margaret F.
(Anthony) Northey.
1 Jane B. Price (Topsfield), dau. of Richard and Mary E. (Phippen)
L Price.
f Russell C. Smith (Lawrence), son of William S. and Ida (Blake)
j Smith.
j Elizabeth M. Ferguson (Topsfield), dau. of Edward E. and Mary
[ (Andrews) Ferguson.
f William Scahill (Ipswich), son of Thomas and Cornelia (Senior)
1 Scahill.
| Sadie Campbell (Ipswich), dau. of Jack and Jessie (McDonald)
[ Campbell.
f Manuel F. Castle (Topsfield), son of Joseph and Frances (Ter-
j rera) Castle.
1 Josie MacDougall (Topsfield), dau. of Murdock and Anna (Mac-
[ Kenzie) MacDougall.
f Earl L. Brown (Topsfield), son of Clarence L. and Julia M. (Wot-
J ton) Brown.
| Gertrude A. Young (Topsfield), dau. of Thomas J. and Almira
[ A. (Bassett) Young.
("Horace E. Gibbs (Haverhill), son of Jacob S. and Roancy J.
J (Rowe) Gibbs.
1 Lucy E. Frost (Haverhill), dau. of Leonard F. and Martha J.
[ (Harris) Frost.
DEATHS.
191 1.
Jan. 10. Amanda D., wife of Edwin S. Clifford and dau. of Benjamin and Hul-
da (Damon) Pike, aged 72 yrs., 2 mos., 15 days.
Jan. 19. Hazen Rogers, Jr., son of Hazen R. and Mary E. (Deickhoff) Wildes,
aged 10 mos., 7 days.
Feb. 24. Ann C., (Elliott) widow of Edward Heckman and dau. of Frederick
and Cathrine (Heneger) Lantz, aged 79 yrs., 1 mo., 12 days.
VITAL STATISTICS TOR 1911.
195
Mar. 6. Ann, widow of Stephen J. Palmer and dau. of Orsamus and Eunice
(Shattuck) Hodgkins, aged 84 yrs., 7 mos., 14 days.
May 2. William G. Pray, son of Ruel B. and Caroline E. (Galloup) Fray, aged
47 yrs., 9 mos., 9 days.
May 14. John Cotter (unknown).
July 2. Stephen Masury Pierce, son of Thomas and Hannah ( ) Pierce,
aged 75 yrs., 25 days.
July 11. Michael O’Connor, Jr., son of Michael and Margaret (Mahoney)
O’Connor, aged 56 yrs., 6 mos., 15 days.
Aug. 14. Eliza Ann, widow of Daniel Willey, and dau. of Jewett and Mary
(Perkins) Pingree, aged 76 yrs., 5 mos., 8 days.
Aug. 28. , son of Arthur F. and Leonie A. (Cruchet) Perkins.
Sept. 16. , son of Willard and Anita (Paine) Emery.
Oct. 26. Lucy Ann Gould, dau. of Josiah and Betsey (Gould) Gould, aged 80
yrs., 7 mos., 10 days.
Oct. 27. William Buckner Taylor, son of and Martha (Massey) Taylor,
aged 71 yrs., 8 mos., 13 days.
Nov. 4. Richard Ward, son of Alfred A. and Hannah S. (Osborne) Ward,
aged 74 yrs., 3 mos., 14 days.
Dec. 24. Abijah B. Richardson, son of Ezra and Eliza Ann (Wilkins) Richard-
son, aged 75 yrs., 6 mos., 17 days.
Dec. 29. , son of Joseph Howard and Delia Rose (Baker) Burnett.
Deaths in other places, Interment in Topsfield.
1911.
Feb. 23. Anne Bradstreet, died in Boston, Mass., aged 63 yrs., 11 mos.
Feb. 25. Bell, died in Georgetown, Mass.
Mar. 20. Mary E. Wallace, died in Tuftonboro, N. H., aged 69 yrs., 4 days.
July 1. William A. Small, died in Salem, Mass., aged 72 yrs., 9 mos., 28 days.
July 23. Darius A. Putnam, died in Worcester, Mass., aged 82 yrs., 4 mos., 23
days.
Oct. 31. Sarah M. Cotton, died in Danvers, Mass., aged 65 yrs., 8 days.
Nov. 5. Waldo Dickinson, died in Wenham, Mass., aged 76 yrs., 9 mos., 10
days.
Feb. 6, 1895. John P. Allen, died in Beverly, Mass., aged 32 yrs., 4 mos., 1 day.
196
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN IQII.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN TOPSFIELD IN 1911.
1911.
January.
April 24.
May 28,
June 8.
Sept. 19-20.
Legislative authority asked by Salem, Beverly and Peabody to
take water from the Ipswich river. Much opposition from
Topsfield and other towns in the river valley.
Barn and storehouse, formerly I. M. Woodbury’s piggery, off
Haverhill St., belonging to Connolly Brothers, destroyed
by fire.
Mess. Glidden and Van Valkenburgh, sailing from Lowell,
landed from a balloon near the Methodist Church, where
they afterwards attended service, it being Sunday morning.
Carriage house and shed of Charles F. Jordan, Main St., de-
stroyed by fire. The Methodist Church, about 25 feet
distant, much endangered.
Annual cattle show and fair of the Essex County Agricultural
Society held on the grounds of the Society.
BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED DURING THE YEAR 1911.
Fred W. Dingle, Central St. ; dwelling-house,
Albert W. Stevens, Central St. ; dwelling-house.
Everett Carr, Central St. ; dwelling-house.
Charles P . Potter, Central St.; dwelling-house,
John L. Fiske, Washington St. ; garage.
Charles P. Poor, Main St, ; garage.
James D. Phillips, Hill St.; dwelling-house, garage and pumphouse.
James P. Hale, High St.; garage,
Elmer B. Thomas, Ipswich St. ; dwelling-house, garage and farmer’s house.
James M, Jackson, M. D., Mill St. 5 garage.
Oliver Thayer, High St. ; dwelling-house remodelled.
Bradley B. Palmer, Asbury St. ; Wildes barn remodelled.
William Agge, High St. ; addition to dwelling-house.
George L. Gould, Washington St. ; large enclosed piazza.
William E. Baxter, M. D., River St. ; bungalow.
F . L. Smith, River St. ; bungalow.
T. L. Jenkins, M. D., Prospect St.; piazza.
Ralph Perkins, High St. ; dove cotes,
Pool Peirce barn, South Main St.; taken down.
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